“The Face of a Defender” – Honouring Women Human Rights Defenders Across Bosnia and Herzegovina

In March 2025, Human Rights House Banja Luka launched Lice Braniteljice (The Face of a Defender), a photo exhibition featuring 12 WHRDs from across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through a combination of interviews and striking portraits taken by local photographers, the exhibition offers a glimpse into their day-to-day efforts to build a more just and inclusive society.

“It is an honour to be part of this project, and I am grateful to my colleagues from the ‘BH Journalists’ Association who nominated me to be part of this exceptionally important story for women in Bosnia and Herzegovina and for Human Rights House Banja Luka.”

Velida Kulenović, WHRD featured in the exhibition.

According to Velida Kulenović, a WHRD whose portrait was featured, the exhibition once again confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to remarkable women who are willing to dedicate their time to activism, advocate for the respect of human rights and environmental principles, and dismantle the many barriers that exist in society.

The exhibition was inspired by Human Rights House Foundation’s Portraits of Strength series—an initiative that honours women human rights defenders across the Network of Human Rights Houses. By linking the stories of WHRDs in Bosnia and Herzegovina with this wider movement, Lice Braniteljice not only highlights the local situation but also highlights shared challenges and reinforces a common purpose across the region and beyond. 

Alongside the online launch on 21 March, Human Rights House Banja Luka organised in-person exhibitions in three cities, reaching new audiences and fostering public dialogue. The exhibitions took place in Tuzla (25–26 March), Banja Luka (28 March–1 April) displayed together with the third edition of Portraits of Strength, and in Sarajevo (11–25 April), drawing a total of around 400 visitors. 

“The three events in Tuzla, Banja Luka, and Sarajevo have served as platforms for public dialogue and solidarity—celebrating women human rights defenders while encouraging greater recognition and support for their efforts.”

Vesna Iliktarević, exhibition coordinator in front of the Human Rights House Banja Luka.

The featured defenders work on a wide range of issues, including women’s and children’s rights, support for vulnerable and minority communities, peace-building, environmental protection, and the fight against corruption. By sharing their voices and experiences, the exhibition aims to increase public understanding of their work and highlight the positive changes they are making in their communities.

“The portrait photographs open up space for a new interpretation of the political identity of women defenders. Their faces become fields of meaning: composed, vulnerable, determined—this is a space where security and risk, presence and taking a stand, meet”, said Isidora Branković, curator at Vagon Gallery in Banja Luka, where the exhibition was also held.  Branković added that “The Face of a Defender” represents a multi-layered artistic act, where the engaged perspectives of photographers intertwine with the experiential knowledge of activists.

The exhibition also spotlights the work of Human Rights House Banja Luka’s legal team, which provides free legal aid to human rights defenders in crisis or at risk—illustrating the breadth of the House’s efforts to support defenders across the region.

The exhibition not only raised awareness of the featured 12 defenders but also introduced the public to the work of five women photographers who captured the defenders’ portraits in their local contexts.

“The Face of a Defender” was organised by Human Rights House Banja Luka with the support of Human Rights House Foundation. The exhibition was made possible thanks to the generous financial support of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.