Outcome MKD_D_1.1

By 2025, people in North Macedonia have universal access to rights- based quality social services – healthcare, education, and necessary social and child protection - rooted in systems resilient to emergencies (UNSDCF Outcome 2)

During the reporting year, significant progress was made in providing rights-based quality services to women survivors of violence. Over 280 women and their children, including women with disabilities, from rural areas, and from ethnic minorities, benefitted from specialized services provided in line with the standards of the Istanbul Convention, including psycho-social counselling, legal aid and legal representation, and social mentoring for economic empowerment. 249 survivors (women and girls) of violence in the South-East region of North Macedonia received services from two newly opened psycho-social counselling centres, led by partner CSOs (Skaj Plus Strumica and EHO Stip), technically supported by UN Women’s partner CSO HERA. Adoption of the municipal Local Action Plan for Gender-based Violence (GVB) in Strumica which includes financial allocations for the center ensured the sustainability of the services after UN Women’s technical guidance throughout the process. 13 women survivors of violence, who are also long-term unemployed and single mothers, had employment opportunities and enrolled into labour market in the private sector, public institutions or self-employed, through a 12-month social mentoring programme for economic empowerment organized by UN Women partner CSO PUBLIC. The women have reported enhanced self-confidence in seeking employment and an improved financial situation resulting in better quality of life and wellbeing.? https://eca.unwomen.org/en/stories/interview/2022/10/interview-every-positive-change-in-each-woman-survivor-is-a-success-in-itself 17 Roma women survivors of domestic violence benefitted from legal representation in their divorce cases, provided by UN Women partner CSO National Roma Centrum Association. 10 cases concluded with positive court decisions in favour of the women and their marriages were terminated by final court decisions. These women now enjoy the possibilities to live outside the violent environment, receive child support and state benefits.? https://eca.unwomen.org/en/stories/interview/2022/10/interview-we-empower-roma-women-to-recognize-violence-and-seek-help Considering the progress made to date, the original strategy and theory of change for this outcome is still applicable.

By 2025, people in North Macedonia have universal access to rights- based quality social services – healthcare, education, and necessary social and child protection - rooted in systems resilient to emergencies (UNSDCF Outcome 2)

During the reporting year, the achievement of the outcome was on track. Significant progress was made in that the government harmonized a normative framework towards the improved prevention and effective response to violence against women (VAW) in line with international standards. Five years after the adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention (2018-2023), in February 2023, the Parliament of North Macedonia adopted amendments to the Criminal Code harmonizing it with the standards of the Istanbul Convention. The Code now defines gender-based violence against women and victims of GBV and criminalizes stalking, female genital mutilation, sexual harassment including in the online space. The definition of rape is now based on consent, and it incriminates rape of a current or previous spouse or intimate partner. The Code also criminalizes the murder of women and girls within GBV (i.e. femicide) and includes economic and psychological violence as types of domestic violence. Additional crimes were amended to foresee stricter penalties if they are committed as a part of, or are consequence, of GBV. UN Women supported the process by participating in technical working meetings, providing expert advice, organizing discussions with civil society organizations, and by supporting an awareness-raising campaign for the public on the Istanbul Convention’s provisions and the urgent need to amend the Criminal Code. Based on the progress achieved, the theory of change is still applicable. UN Women will continue to support key national institutions and civil society actors to advance the normative work on improved prevention and effective response to VAW and enhance capacities for implementation of national and international standards on EVAW. Link: https://eca.unwomen.org/en/stories/news/2023/06/new-amendments-in-north-macedonias-criminal-code-expand-protection-for-various-forms-of-violence-against-women