Women and Politics: The Experience of Selma Ćatibušić

In the political landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina, women remain underrepresented, and young women are almost invisible. That is why the stories of those who have had the courage to step into that space, to fight for their place and their voice, carry special weight. One of them is Selma Ćatibušić, a young activist and former councilor who has shown through her work that politics does not have to be a closed system, but a field where determination and empathy can turn into real change.

“Age has nothing to do with how much you care, how hard you work, or how much you know.”

Selma comes from Tuzla, a city that has historically been a symbol of civic struggle, social justice, and progressive ideas. She grew up in an environment that, as she says, “taught you not to stay silent when you see injustice,” and that value shaped her path. From early involvement in the civil sector, through local politics, to her current work with communities, Selma has remained true to the same mission: to give a voice to those who don’t have one and to make politics more accessible to ordinary people.

“My experience in politics was both challenging and incredibly valuable,” Selma begins.

“As a woman, and especially as a young woman, I often faced underestimation. Everyone says that ‘the world belongs to the youth,’ but when a young person wants to make a change, suddenly they’re ‘too young.’ That was one of my biggest challenges, proving that age has nothing to do with how much you care, how hard you work, or how much you know.”

She also describes another side of political reality, one less visible to the public: the barriers that are not in ideas but in structures.

“I often witnessed that even the simplest, most logical initiatives struggled to pass just because they came from the opposition, even though they were useful and necessary. That taught me that politics sometimes creates obstacles for itself, that it can be closed off instead of being a space for cooperation.”

Despite the difficulties, Selma says she never regretted entering that world.

“The most beautiful part was the feeling that I was doing something genuine, from the heart, for my community. Those experiences shaped me, strengthened me, and taught me lessons you can’t learn anywhere else.”

Motivation: The Desire to Solve Problems, Not Just Talk About Them

Selma does not come from a family of politicians. Her path began in civil society, working with people through projects, workshops, and advocacy initiatives.

“I was motivated by a desire to make real change, so that the problems we all see wouldn’t remain just stories. Through my work in the NGO sector, I saw how much communities can progress when people act from conviction and empathy. But at some point, I realized that if we truly want change, the voices of women and young people need to be present where decisions are made.”

Entering politics, she admits, was not an easy step.

“There were a lot of doubts. Politics carries responsibility but also the burden of prejudice. Still, I wanted to be part of change from within, to show that politics can be both humane and honest.”

Lessons That Bring Courage

“When I look back, what I would change the most is how afraid I was at the beginning of making mistakes,” Selma says honestly.

“I tried so hard to make everything perfect, to avoid criticism, to make sure everything looked flawless. Today I know it’s more important to act than to wait. Try, do, make mistakes, learn, and move on.”

That philosophy, she adds, applies not only to politics but to life itself.

“Everyone makes mistakes, young and old alike. Confidence doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect moment; it comes from daring to act. Today, I’m at peace knowing that I did my best, honestly and fairly, for everyone, both those who supported me and those who didn’t.”

Women in Politics: The Strength That Changes Dynamics

When speaking about the importance of women’s presence in politics, Selma does not hesitate to say that women bring a dimension often missing, empathy, attention to detail, and a deep sense of responsibility.

“Women notice things that others overlook, from education and healthcare to mental health and the everyday lives of ordinary people. When women participate in decision-making, politics becomes closer to the people, less harsh, more solution-oriented.”

She believes that women’s participation is not only a matter of equality but of quality decision-making.

“A society in which women actively participate in politics becomes healthier, fairer, and more stable. Most importantly, it becomes more sensitive to the needs of those who are usually unheard.”

A Message to Women: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Moment

When talking about women who are considering entering politics, Selma encourages them not to wait for perfect circumstances, because they never come.

“Don’t retreat in the face of labels like ‘too young,’ ‘inexperienced,’ or ‘this isn’t for you.’ Those are just excuses meant to keep us on the sidelines. Be brave, learn, fall and get up, and support one another. Your voice matters, and it’s needed. Politics doesn’t change by itself; it changes through people who bring humanity into it.”

New Roles, the Same Goal

Although Selma is no longer actively involved in party politics, she continues to work with the same passion, now through the civil sector, focusing on empowering young people, women, and marginalized groups.

“Here, I have the space to work directly with people, to see concrete results. That fulfills me. Maybe one day I’ll return to politics. The door isn’t closed; I’ve just given myself time to grow, to learn more, and to keep doing what I love.”

The words she speaks are not just reflections on one chapter of her life but a promise that her commitment, regardless of form, remains the same: a fight for a society where even the quietest voices are heard.

Selma Ćatibušić is one of those women who prove that politics doesn’t have to be a space of power but a space of change. Her story reminds us that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear, it means acting despite it. And stories like Selma’s are precisely the ones that inspire new generations of young women and LGBTI+ people to step into spaces where they are still too few into politics with a human face.

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.