Population size:
2 million [1]
Number of people experiencing domestic abuse each year:
Police Data in 2004 reported 2,434 complaints of domestic violence of which 1,000 victims were wives, 460 parents, and 175 were children and other family members (aunts, uncles, and husbands) in big families with members spanning several generations. [2]
Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality of Women (ESE) in 2006 showed that every second Macedonian women was a victim of psychological violence, every sixth experienced physical abuse, whereas 10% reported sexual violence at home.
No research on male victims or other gender identities.
Cost of domestic abuse to the economy each year:
No research.
Estimated % change due to COVID-19:
NGO Organization of Women of the City of Skopje reported a 7% increase in the number of calls to their helpline. [3]
Current law and policy:
There have been significant achievements in the area of policy development: new legislation; harmonisation for human rights protection; prevention of violence against women. The Istanbul Convention was ratified 2018. Introduced a Law for Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence 2014 and a Government National Coordination Body for Domestic Violence Prevention.
Violence against women is the most common form of human rights violation and women’s safety is thus a high-priority public health problem. Significant achievements in the area of policy development including legislation; harmonisation for human rights protection; prevention of violence against women; protocols for the treatment and support of victims and further coordination between different sectors. However, in practice, need to establish a system of institutions effective for prevention, protection, gathering evidence and support of victims, in addition to the prosecution of perpetrators .[4]
Legislation, harmonisation and enforcement includes: Ratification of a variety of UN Human Rights treaties etc.; Istanbul Convention was ratified in 2018; 2003/2004 amendments on the family law and law for social protection, as well as the Crime Code for secondary prevention, particularly sanctioning the perpetrators and protection of victims of domestic violence; Law for Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence 2014 including bylaws for the implementation of this law developed in 2015; Law for Evidence in Health 2009 reporting of violence has become mandatory for health professionals in a special individual report for violence; First shelter opened in 2004 in Skopje for victims of domestic violence; and Governmental National Coordination Body for Domestic Violence Prevention established with government approval in 2009. Includes representatives from WHO, ministries of health and other NGOs who were responsible for the implementation of the National Strategy for the protection against domestic violence.
Generally positive but there is a need for the Government to provide resources and undertake measures and activities to respond to cultural change in social systems and to improve efficiency and effectiveness of legal mechanisms for the protection of women.