Bosnia and Herzegovina, like the rest of the world, has been celebrating every 25th day of the month as Orange Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness, preventing violence against women and girls, and sending messages of support to victims. For over a decade, the Institute for Youth Development KULT has been contributing to the fight against violence and sending messages of support to victims. Following the success of two previous campaigns spotlighting women making a difference, the Institute is launching its new campaign #YouthMakingDifference on this month’s Orange Day. The Institute’s goal with this campaign is to encourage youth to follow the lead of others and find the motivation to take part in ending violence against women and girls. The campaign also emphasized the importance of fighting for gender equality.
“Like many women, I grew up hearing stories of injustice, silence, unspoken violence, and the roles women are expected to play. Over time, I felt a growing need to speak out. When I started creating content on this topic through social media, especially on TikTok, I realized just how much these messages resonate with people, how important they are, and how little it takes for someone to feel seen and supported. I wanted to be a bridge between pain and hope, between the past and what lies ahead,” says Elma Papić, a young social media influencer focused on art and makeup, who also uses her platform to creatively advocate for the rights of women and girls in our society.
She draws inspiration from women fighting quiet battles every day and from young people determined to make their voices heard. She has been creating content for her 80,000 TikTok followers for nearly two years. Her videos on gender equality often reach hundreds of thousands, sometimes even millions, of viewers.
“In the scripts I write and film, I speak about what many women go through, especially regarding marriage, family, and societal expectations. TikTok is often dismissed as shallow or toxic, and yes, I’ve felt that too, through criticism, ridicule, and being dismissed. But that only made me more determined to stay authentic and prove that even this platform can be used to share powerful messages and spark meaningful conversations. The trust I’ve built, especially with women who see themselves in what I share, feels like a real contribution to the fight for equality.”
Asked about the challenges she faces, Elma points to exposure as one of the toughest parts of this work.
“When you speak publicly about violence, women’s pain, and social pressure, you have to be ready for backlash, misunderstandings, judgment, and attacks. I’ve received a lot of negative comments and attempts to silence or belittle me. But I chose not to let that stop me. I’ve committed to being honest, showing both strength and vulnerability when needed, and trusting that truth matters more than appearances. Through that, I’ve learned the meaning of integrity, and how powerful vulnerability can be.”
On gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elma is clear: legal and societal inequalities persist. Women remain underrepresented in decision-making, and the daily struggles they face are often overlooked or normalized. She says that gender equality may exist on paper, but not in practice.
“That said, more and more of us are speaking out, and that gives me hope. Young people want change, and they need space to act. Their energy and empathy can move mountains. We need both systemic and personal awakening – each person must recognize their role in the fight for equality.”
Elma plans to keep using social media as a tool for education, empowerment, and community building.“I want to build a stronger community that values equality, continue learning, connect with organizations, and maybe even formally launch projects focused on youth and women’s empowerment. I’ve also been boxing for over a year now, and people often ask if that’s related to what I talk about. I believe it is, but it’s unrelated to violence. On the contrary, boxing has taught me discipline, confidence, and the importance of protecting myself. I don’t think women need to be aggressive, but I do believe every woman should know herself, her boundaries, and her right to feel safe. For me, boxing is a symbol of inner strength, not force.”
Elma encourages other young people to get involved and take action, because only together can we build a safer, more equal future.“Don’t wait to be perfect, just start with what you have. Your experience, your truth, your voice are enough to begin. Social media is a powerful tool, and if we use it wisely, we really can raise awareness and drive change. Be authentic, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid of not being understood – the right people will get it. In a society that’s so often trying to silence us, courage itself is already a form of activism.”
