Unlike laws or formal institutions, which clearly regulate society, gender differences are often produced through everyday, almost unnoticed practices, language, humor, and habits. These “small things” function as micro-rituals of the symbolic order. Through them, certain ideas are constantly repeated until they begin to appear as “common sense.”

The phrase “Forgive Me, My Wife”implicitly carries several important assumptions: that a woman is a potential source of impurity or shame; that mentioning her requires an apology or qualification; and that female identity is something that needs to be “softened” in public speech. In other words, although it may sound like a joke, the phrase actually suggests that a woman is something problematic or of lesser value.

We can observe similar logic in other sayings and beliefs, such as: “A woman brings bad luck if she is the first to enter the house,” as well as various jokes that portray women as less rational or capable. All these statements contribute to the same image: woman as the “other”, something impure, dangerous, or inferior.

The problem is not in a single saying, but in their repetition. When we hear them daily, we begin to perceive them as natural and normal. In this way, gender hierarchy is not imposed openly, but is quietly embedded in our way of thinking.

It is precisely through such “small things” that we learn what is considered normal and who, within that order, has more or less value. Therefore, understanding language is not only a matter of communication, but also a matter of power.

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A special focus of the course is placed on analyzing contemporary challenges brought about by the rapid development of digital technologies. In this context, participants will have the opportunity to explore in greater depth the phenomenon of bots and their role in shaping public opinion, as well as the ways in which automated content influences the perception of reality in the digital space.

The course will also address the important relationship between artificial intelligence and education, with an emphasis on both the opportunities and the ethical dilemmas arising from the use of AI tools in teaching and learning processes. Particular attention will be given to critically examining how technology can enhance education, but also potentially deepen existing social inequalities.

One of the key segments of the course focuses on recognizing and deconstructing gender stereotypes reproduced through social media, video games, and animated content. Participants will analyze how digital media shape perceptions of gender and identity, and how algorithms may unconsciously perpetuate stereotypes.

Through this interdisciplinary approach, the course aims to connect issues of technology, gender, and social responsibility, empowering participants to develop an informed, critical, and ethical relationship with the digital environment in which they operate daily.

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In her lecture, Professor Spahić Šiljak discussed the importance of gender-sensitive language, emphasizing that the way we speak about God is not neutral, but deeply shaped by historical, cultural, and social contexts. She particularly highlighted the fact that, although God is understood as being beyond all human comprehension, identity, and categories, in religious language and practice God is most often represented and addressed in the masculine form.

Through an analysis of religious texts, traditions, and symbolism, she pointed to the dominance of male metaphors and images of God, opening space for critical reflection: is such language merely a grammatical convention, or does it carry deeper implications for how believers understand the divine, authority, and power?

One of the key questions raised during the lecture was: what would change if God were addressed in the feminine form? Would such a shift influence religious experience, the perception of God, as well as social relations and gender roles?

The course “The Female Face of God” will continue through a series of lectures and discussions aimed at fostering interdisciplinary reflection on the relationship between religion, language, and gender, while offering new perspectives on understanding spirituality in a contemporary context.

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Through an analytical approach, she opened space for reflection on foundational religious texts and their influence on the understanding of human nature and gender relations. The question “Is a woman human?” may appear provocative, but it points to a long-standing social reality in which women are still denied full humanity and equality.

The particular value of this course lies in its interreligious approach—this question is explored through Jewish, Christian, and Islamic perspectives, creating space for dialogue, comparison, and a deeper understanding of different theological and social traditions.

This course represents an important segment of the FER program, reaffirming its commitment to critical reflection on religion and gender issues in a contemporary context.

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In the first lecture, Prof. Dr. Radulović introduces participants to this complex topic, offering an analytical and engaged approach that connects theory with social reality. The question of “killing God in someone” does not refer to religion in a literal sense, but rather to the loss of dignity, self-confidence, and a person’s inner sense of worth. In the context of gender-based violence, it symbolizes the process through which violence—whether physical, psychological, or structural—destroys a woman’s sense of self-worth, safety, and spiritual integrity.

This course represents an important segment of the program, reaffirming the school’s commitment to critical thinking and opening dialogue on topics that are often marginalized, yet deeply present in everyday life.

Participants of the FER school come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

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The program was held online again this winter, from Monday to Friday, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, offering participants a structured space for learning, exchanging experiences, and open discussion on topics that connect feminism, religion, and society. The winter semester ran from October to December 2025. This semester featured lecturers from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, and Australia. The discussions were further enriched by the diversity of the participants themselves—not only in terms of coming from different parts of the world, but also in their worldviews and religious beliefs, as well as their gender identities and sexual orientations.

From the history of feminism to questions of peace and security

The program covered a wide range of topics, from the history of feminism and various strands of feminist theology, through critical media analysis, to issues of gender-based violence and peacebuilding.

The course History of Feminism in the West and the East offered an overview of the social and historical contexts in which feminist movements and ideas developed. Special emphasis was placed on key theoretical concepts and diverse feminist orientations, as well as on the “return” to the often-neglected history of women’s contributions to social change, emancipation, and cultural transformation—particularly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The thematic focus also included the three waves of feminism, the development of feminism in the former Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as experiences from Asia and Africa, alongside an analysis of contemporary forms of patriarchy and the effects of globalization. Lecturers on this course included: Prof. dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak, Assoc. prof. dr. Merima Jašarević, Dr. Adriana Zaharijević, Assoc. prof. dr. Jasna Kovačević, and Prof. dr. Jasmina Husanović.

The course Religion, Gender and Media opened up questions about how the media mediate knowledge, shape identities, and influence self-perception—especially among young people. Through theoretical frameworks and case studies, the course analyzed gender stereotypes in religious and secular media, the visibility of women as authors and editors of content, the space afforded to women theologians and experts, as well as representations of violence against women and the relationship between pornography and violence. Lecturers on this course included: Prof. dr. Suzana Peran-Vrhovski, Prof. dr. Irena Sever-Globan, Assist. prof. dr. Medina Mujić, Assist. Dr. Ružica Ljubičić, and Prof. dr. Hazim Begagić.

Within the course Feminist Theology, feminist theology was presented as a diverse and dynamic field that follows the development of feminism and reflects on it within a religious context. The program was thematically structured through “layers” of questions and topics that have strongly shaped theological thought. It encompassed Christian and Islamic feminist theology, while also offering a broader insight into contemporary trends in feminist Christian, Jewish, and Islamic theology. Lecturers on this course included: Prof. dr. Tina Beattie, Dr. Selina Palm, Dr. Elana Sztokman, Prof. dr. Adis Duderija, Prof. dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak, and Elma Softic Kaunitz MA.

The course Gender, Religion and Peacebuilding focused on the gender dimensions of conflict and peace processes, as well as the different experiences of women and men during and after conflicts. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that women are often collateral victims, yet also among the most active drivers of peace initiatives within their communities. At the same time, the course examined the role of men in conflicts, social expectations within patriarchal structures, and the reality that men overwhelmingly occupy positions of political power and dominate peace negotiations at the highest levels. Lecturers on this course included: Prof. Dr. Zlatborka Popov-Momčinović, Prof. Dr. Larisa Kasumagić-Kafedžić, Dr. Randall Shank Puljek, Prof. Dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak, Dr. Amra Pandžo, and Prof. Dr. Marie Berry.

The course Gender, Religion and GBV (Gender-Based Violence) offered insights into theoretical and empirical understandings of gender, gender identities, stereotypes, and roles that have contributed for centuries to the emergence of gender-based violence. These social constructs are strongly shaped by cultural norms and patriarchal “values” that keep women in a subordinated position, often summed up in the message: “Be silent, endure, and do not bring shame to your family.” Religion is frequently used to justify gender-based violence, but contemporary and feminist interpretations offer new insights and alternative understandings of sacred texts. Lecturers on this course included: Prof. dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak, Dr. Jelena Ćeriman, Dr. Selina Palms, Dr. Sabiha Husić,  Elma Softić-Kaunitz MA, and Melika Šahinović MA.

Participants’ Reflections: greater self-confidence and readiness for engagement

Participants highlight the development and clear expression of self-confidence as the most significant change they experienced. They note that this confidence grew through the acquisition of knowledge and the practice of well-argued discussion, and subsequently transformed into a stronger impulse for critical reflection on social developments and processes within religious communities. Many participants felt further empowered to pursue independent research and to engage more actively in society and their own communities—particularly through interethnic and interreligious dialogue.

In participants’ reflections, the atmosphere of respect and encouragement of free expression stands out in particular:

“What impressed me most was the warm and respectful attitude of the professors toward us. The opportunity to express our opinions on a topic gave me a strong sense of being valued and respected… There were no wrong answers here, because each one was unique and meaningful…”

Another participant emphasized the clear structure of the program and the inspiration drawn from collaborative learning:

“The curriculum was very well designed. We were guided step by step from the basics of each topic toward a deeper understanding… The experience, research, and work of the professors, as well as the experiences of other women in the course, were extremely inspiring.”

The FER School continues to affirm itself as a space of knowledge, exchange, and empowerment—a place where learning, critical inquiry, and community-building come together, fostering active engagement in society and within religious communities.

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The promotion was attended by professors and students of the University of Bihać, as well as representatives of the judicial community of the Una-Sana Canton.

This promotion is just one of a series of events organized each year by the Gender Equality Center of the University of Bihać within the framework of the “16 Days of Activism” campaign, marking November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and lasting until December 10, International Human Rights Day.

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Students of Cultural Studies of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Zenica showcased a photography exhibition aimed at raising awareness about femicide and violence against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event also featured the screening of the documentary “Help, He Will Kill Me!”, produced by the Žurnal info portal. The film shares harrowing testimonies from victims of femicide in BiH and urges immediate action and systemic change.

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The event brought together a diverse audience of students and faculty from various academic backgrounds, opening space for meaningful reflections and conversations on current social issues, identity, and gender equality – thoughtfully and provocatively explored in the promoted book.

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