International Women’s Day: UN Calls for Stronger Protection for Women and Children from Gender Based and Domestic Violence

Skopje, 6 March 2026: “As North Macedonia prepares to mark International Women’s Day 2026, the UN family in North Macedonia joins women, girls, families, and communities across the country - and around the world - in calling for a future where every woman and every child enjoy their full rights, equal justice, and a life free from violence, discrimination, and fear. 

“This year’s commemoration comes in the shadow of a heartbreaking tragedy in which another two lives were lost to domestic violence. This tragedy is a painful reminder that gender-based and domestic violence remains one of the most pervasive and devastating forms of violence affecting women and children.

“While acknowledging the country’s progress in aligning its legislation with the Istanbul Convention, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), tragedies like this remind us that legal commitments must translate into real protection. Evidence shows that 45% of women in North Macedonia have experienced violence from an intimate partner, while reporting remains extremely low, with only around 2% of survivors contacting the police. 

“Violence in the home is not a private matter - it is a grave violation of human rights. When a woman is unsafe, children are unsafe. Children who witness or experience violence face lifelong consequences to their wellbeing, development, and emotional security.

“When it comes to protecting women and children from gender-based and domestic violence, time is of the essence. Delays in responding to reports put women and children at greater risk and undermine trust in protection systems. In too many cases procedures are delayed and victims are returned to the very environments where violence occurred, highlighting the urgent need for effective and timely intervention. Protection systems must also ensure that all women and children can safely access support, including those who may face additional barriers to reporting violence or seeking assistance because of their displacement, legal status, or heightened vulnerability.

“On this International Women’s Day, the theme is “Rights. Justice. Action for All Women and Girls” calls on all of us - governments, institutions, communities, employers, neighbours, and families - to give support, attention, resources, and action so children and women can gain safety, dignity, justice, and hope. For gender-based and domestic violence, this means:

• Give accountability, gain justice: Systems must respond rapidly and effectively to every report of violence, ensuring that women and children can trust that protection services will act.
• Give attention, gain early prevention: Early identification of risks through schools, health centres, social services, law enforcement and communities can prevent harm before it escalates.
• Give protection, gain safety: Women and children need safe shelters for emergency placement, but more efforts need to focus on removing the perpetrators, holding them accountable and working with them to prevent future cases. Women and children also need survivor centred services, legal aid, and timely institutional response.
• Give investment, gain stronger services: A well-resourced social service workforce is vital trained, equipped, and supported to protect women and children.
• Give support, gain stronger families and communities: Programmes that promote positive parenting, gender equality, and nonviolent relationships change norms and reduce violence long-term.
• Give a voice, gain societal change: Community solidarity, speaking up against violence, challenging harmful norms, and advocating for women’s safety, including at the workplace, helps shift attitudes and prevent abuse.
• Give restorative programmes, gain lasting change: Holding perpetrators accountable should go hand-in hand with programmes focused on behaviour change, anger management, and education around gender-based violence.
• Give equal opportunity, gain a thriving economy: Women’s economic empowerment and quality employment, housing, and care services are concrete investments providing stable living conditions and professional pathways for the next generation.
• Give equality in norms, gain respect and safety: Addressing gender stereotypes and harmful social norms is key to preventing violence. Through education, media, and community engagement, societies can promote gender equality, challenge discrimination, and foster relationships based on respect and shared responsibility.

“The UN family in North Macedonia stands in solidarity with all women and all children in the country. We remain committed to supporting national authorities, institutions, and communities to strengthen prevention, protection, and response systems - ensuring that no woman and no child live in fear.

“This International Women’s Day, let us commit to a society where every woman and every child is safe, protected, and respected - at home, in school, and in the community.”