SARAJEVO
A project implemented by the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA) for the production of cultivated mushroom in Bosnia-Herzegovina have helped 40 members of the Union of Suncica Women Producers, an entity that brings together Bosnian and Serbian women, find jobs.
TIKA's support helped the Union, established by women living in Bosanski Petrovac region in western Bosnia-Herzegovina, realize the project of the production of cultivated mushroom.
The cultivated mushroom project is one of many TIKA projects in the region to help development and carries a special meaning as one that has brought together Bosnian and Serbian women.
Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA), TIKA's Coordinator in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Dr. Zulkuf Oruc, said that the cultivated mushroom project was a good example of TIKA's projects designed to bring income to the participants.
"The cultivated mushroom project has brought together different ethnic groups. We can label this project as 'feminist'. The members of the Union are all women," Oruc stated.
"Unemployment rate in Bosnia-Herzegovina is over 40 percent. Women 40 years old or older have difficulty in finding jobs in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Thanks to the cultivated mushroom project, women older than 40 years have found jobs in Bosanski Petrovac city," Oruc indicated.
"40 women implies an increase in income for 40 families. In a country where co-existence carries high importance, we will continue to implement similar projects," Oruc noted.
"First support came from TIKA"
The Chairperson of the Union of Suncica Women Producers, Hasniya Nadarevic, said that TIKA was the first foreign organization to extend assistance to their Union.
TIKA's support to our project was a source of joy for our members, Nadarevic stressed.
Among our members are both Bosnian and Serbian women, Nadarevic stated.
"We have to live in co-existence in this country. Projects as this one carry high meaning for peace. Thanks to the project, we began producing mushrooms and our mushrooms are being sold in many supermarkets of Bosnia-Herzegovina. We will develop our project further," Nadarevic said.
"I would like to thank the Turkish government and people for their support to Bosnia-Herzegovina on behalf of our members. Providing jobs to women in Bosanski Petrovac carries high importance for local development," Nadarevic also said.
Reporting by Omer Cetres / Zlatan Kapic
