Ending violence against women
UN Women supports government and civil society to prevent domestic violence, protect survivors and raise awareness of gender-based violence against women and girls. We work with public officials to provide more integrated domestic violence protection and prevention services.
UN Women supports civil society advocacy to promote the values of the Istanbul Convention, which is the first comprehensive legal instrument on violence against women. We help efforts that provide widely available quality services to survivors.
New law marks progress to end violence against women and girls in North Macedonia
In January 2021, the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia adopted the new Law for Protection and Prevention from Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. It covers all forms of such violence and includes specific definitions of ‘violence against women’ and ‘gender-based violence’ in line with international standards and the Istanbul Convention.
Hard work led to the adoption of that law. The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia ratified the Istanbul Convention in December 2017, which came into force in July 2018. In the pre-ratification process, UN Women provided technical support to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy by assessing the impact of the Istanbul Convention on national legislation.
The comprehensive assessment recommended the drafting of a new Law on Prevention and Protection against Gender-Based Violence. It also proposed that the Criminal Code clearly define criminal acts and sanctions which integrate a gender perspective in line with the principles and spirit of the Istanbul Convention. In addition, the assessment recommended the revision of a series of laws to better align with the Convention.
Following the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, North Macedonia developed and adopted its National Action Plan for 2018-2023.
UN Women promotes norms to end gender violence and discrimination in North Macedonia
Since 2017, UN Women in North Macedonia has been part of the EU-UN Women regional programme, Implementing Norms, Changing Minds. The programme aims to:
- Develop a legislative and policy environment aligned with international standards on eliminating violence against women and all forms of discrimination
- Promote social norms and attitudes to prevent gender discrimination and violence against women
- Empower women and girls, including women from minority groups who have experienced discrimination or violence, to use and advocate for available, accessible, and quality services.
The programme works through women’s organizations, particularly those that focus on women from disadvantaged groups. For more programme information, please click here.