They are traditionally referred to as a weaker gender. Even in times of pandemic, they defy traditional identities, in fact only by doing what they have done before.

N1 brings you glimps into the lives of seven Bosnian women – a tiny sample of hundreds of thousands of women, pillars of the society.

Mirjana Malenica, a Specialist in Emergency Medicine at General Hospital “Abdulah Nakas”

 “There are seven female doctors working here – a women's team. We're all married and with kids. We are the pillar of this hospital – we're the first to contact the patients. When you come here – you fear that the patient's infected, that you'll get infected. It's normal to be scared of infecting your children or your husband, but you only get to be scared after the work's done.”

Mirela Sehovic, a cashier at Merkator Shopping Centre

“With everything that's happening, we continue working and keep our lives as normal as possible. We're available to all citizens every day, protected from day one, hoping this will be over as soon as possible. We continue to smile even if you can't see it cause of our masks.”

Aida Turjacanin, a police officer in Sarajevo Canton

“Women police officers in Sarajevo Canton do the same jobs as their male colleagues – no matter what the circumstances. Women are equal since we have all received the same training – we have the same powers and responsibilities. In times of aggravating circumstances, in addition to regular tasks, we perform other tasks – supervision, control. All this to keep our citizens safe.”

 Denisa Delihasanovic, a volunteer at the Sarajevo Volunteer Team

“Every day I receive about a hundred calls from beneficiaries – I forward these calls to our volunteers who are working hard to deliver the food or medicine that beneficiaries, fellow citizens, need as quickly as possible.”

Benjamina Londrc, a Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Travnik

“I believe that the static that the pandemic brought onto us, will give birth to opportunities of perfecting our knowledge and skills. My work ethic is to give a moral example of how to shape the aesthetics of life so that we all turn our egoism to altruism. It is an honour to give theoretical and creative coordinates to young people.”

Ivana Eric, N1 television's journalist

“One field day under the mask makes me feel immense gratitude and shame in front of the people who spend all day under several layers of protective gear. Working just one shift from home while my 2-year-old daughter is restless and wants her mum – makes me admire the mothers working much more labour intensive jobs than I do. often in unsafe circumstances, living in small apartments with three or four children. These people, these women are heroes.”

 Ines Kavalec, President of the Association for which families with children with disabilities “Dajte Nam Sansu”

“Once again, the system proved to be dysfunctional for families of people with disabilities, but we are still their voice and safety.”