Women and Politics: The Experience of Nedžada Avdić

At a time when politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains largely a male-dominated arena, women who decide to step into this world face a range of obstacles – from institutional barriers to entrenched stereotypes. We spoke with Nedžada Avdić, a former parliamentarian and long-time activist, about her experiences, motivations, and challenges, but also about why it is vital for women to take their place in political life. Her story reflects both personal courage and the broader social significance of women’s engagement in politics.

Challenges and Moments of Fulfillment

When she speaks about her political experience, Nedžada Avdić doesn’t measure it by titles or positions, but by her relationship with citizens. “My biggest challenge was respecting the will of the people – all those voters who gave me their trust. That was my duty: to fight for them, for myself, and for my children, in order to contribute to a better status for all of us in society,” she recalls.

For her, politics was more than a career – it was service. She saw voters as her “employers” and herself as their employee, responsible for working in the best interest of the community. It was precisely this understanding of politics that led to her greatest moments of satisfaction.

“The best feeling came when I managed, through my initiatives and parliamentary questions, to achieve something concrete for people’s well-being,” she explains. She highlights, for example, securing free access to the drug Clexane for pregnant women who otherwise would not have been able to carry pregnancies to term. Another initiative she is proud of enabled children with autism to receive dental treatment at the University Clinical Center in Tuzla.

These may seem like small steps, but they had enormous impact on real lives – proof, she says, that politics, when used responsibly, can change people’s everyday realities.

Motivation: Optimism and Disillusionment

Asked what motivated her to enter politics in the first place, Avdić is straightforward: “My motivation was that politics was dealing with us, so I thought – why shouldn’t I deal with politics?”

Her wish was to contribute to a better future for a struggling country, though she admits today that she was overly optimistic. “I was just one drop in the ocean. There were so few who wanted to do something without seeking personal gain. To me, that’s not politics – that’s self-interest: ‘give me what I want, and no one else matters.’”

Her words carry a trace of bitterness – familiar to many who entered politics with ideals only to leave with disappointment. The political system, she says, often grinds down individuals, reducing them to insignificance if they refuse to compromise their values. “I still don’t understand what that oath at the start of a mandate means to some people,” she adds, pointing out that for many, the oath is an empty formality.

Looking Back: What Would She Do Differently?

Despite these disappointments, Avdić insists she wouldn’t change a thing. “I would behave the same way again. I would continue to respect the will of voters, seek out those who think like me, and try to address the fundamental problems of our society.”

Her priorities remain clear: fighting corruption and bribery, improving the security situation, reforming the judiciary, and strengthening both education and healthcare. Above all, she emphasizes freedom of speech and the protection of marginalized groups.

“I would simply fight again for a better life for young people. That was always my main goal,” she says firmly.

Her determination reveals much about her character – even after difficult experiences, she would still choose the same path of service.

Why Women Must Be Present in Politics

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, women make up nearly half the electorate, yet in legislative bodies they rarely surpass 25% representation, despite a legal requirement of at least 40% women on candidate lists. This gap highlights the enduring underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles.

Avdić argues that women’s presence in politics is crucial – but stresses that it cannot be symbolic. “It’s important to have women in politics, but the right women, not women just because they’re women. We need strong, principled women – women who think with their own heads, not with the head of a party leader.”

In her view, women bring a different kind of strength and approach to politics. “A woman is no less a mother, a wife, or a sister just because she is in politics. When a woman decides on something, she can be even stronger than a man. Women sit at the table and talk, they look for solutions, they don’t raise their hands against one another. Everything is about dialogue and building connections, no matter which party you belong to.”

Avdić believes women change society by shifting the focus away from confrontations and towards solutions: “Women know that quarrels, shouting, bar-style behavior, and even fistfights solve nothing. Calm conversations at the table solve problems – and women are capable of that.”

Her perspective aligns with global research showing that greater female participation in politics often leads to stronger social policies, improved healthcare and education, and lower levels of corruption.

The Bigger Picture: Women in Bosnian Politics Today

Bosnia and Herzegovina has, over the past decades, introduced mechanisms such as gender quotas to encourage female participation in politics. Yet in practice, women are too often placed on electoral lists as “decoration,” without real chances of being elected.

In municipal councils and cantonal assemblies, women seldom occupy leading positions. Mayors, prime ministers, and ministers of finance or security remain overwhelmingly male, while women are typically assigned so-called “soft portfolios” – social welfare, culture, or education.

Avdić’s story reflects this broader struggle: the desire to make change, constantly challenged by entrenched structures of power and a system that rarely rewards idealism.

A Message to Women

At the end of our conversation, Nedžada Avdić shared a powerful message for women – both those who are already active in politics and those who are only considering entering this field.

To women already in politics, she says:

• Be yourself.

• Think with your own head.

• Don’t be a yes-woman or raise your hand only when “ordered” to do so.

• Have your own opinion, even if it costs you.

• Remember your voters, the people who trusted you.

• Be responsible and fight for your community.

• Use your current position – your position of power – to make a real difference, so that your mandate is remembered for your impact.

To women who are considering entering politics, her message is:

• Politics is for women just as much as it is for men.

• If you feel you have the strength, will, and desire to bring positive change for the future, your place is in politics.

• Women create a better future because they are more empathetic than men and often resolve issues more effectively.

• Don’t let fear discourage you – we women carry much more strength within us than we usually realize.

• If you don’t try, you’ll never know what you’re capable of. Step into politics and help correct the injustices we face.

• As Margaret Thatcher once said: “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”

Politics as Struggle and Hope

The experience of Nedžada Avdić reveals just how complex the political arena in Bosnia and Herzegovina is. On the one hand, individuals often feel powerless in the face of corruption and clientelism. On the other hand, even small successes – like securing medicine for pregnant women or ensuring dental care for autistic children – prove that politics can indeed be a tool for good.

Her story also carries a wider message: women in politics are not only a matter of equality, but of quality. They bring a different energy, pragmatism, and focus on the concrete problems of citizens.

“Women in politics are not less mothers, wives, or sisters. They are more solutions and fewer conflicts. And that is exactly what our society needs most,” concludes Nedžada Avdić.

This activity was supported by the Government of Canada through the project “Building Political Power in the Margins: Strengthening Civic Participation of Rural Women and LGBTI+ People in Tuzla Canton through Education, Skills Training, and Community-Based Advocacy.”

We are grateful to Canada for its contribution to this project through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of Canada.