Skopje, 17 July 2023 (MIA) - Achievements in the protection and prevention of gender-based violence and domestic violence were presented on Monday as part of the project "Prevention and Protection against Gender-Based Violence in North Macedonia" on the occasion of World Population Day - 11 July. The United Nations Population Fund – UNFPA in Skopje, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and financially supported by the British Embassy in Skopje, organized the event "There is Help for Life Without Violence - Investing in Gender Equality Today is an Investment in our Shared Future."

UNFPA Skopje Head of Office, Afrodita Shalja, said that gender inequality is the basis of the problem of marginalization and limitation of the potential of every other person on the planet.

"Gender inequality excludes women and girls from schools, from the work force, prevents them from receiving as much education as they need and want, and keeps them off leadership opportunities. It limits their ability and power to make their own decisions about their own health and reproductive life. World Population Day is a reminder that in a world with 8 billion people we can create a prosperous, peaceful and sustainable future for all," said Shalja, noting that in addition to supporting the potentials of women and girls, results in the fight against gender-based violence also require the inclusion of men and boys.

Shalja pointed out that one of the three global goals of the UNFPA is zero gender-based violence and achieving this requires perseverance, determination, unity and coordination, commitment of every institution, organization, community and individual.

First lady Elizabeta Gjorgjievska called on everyone at the opening of the event to contribute in the fight against systemic barriers and harmful stereotypes with their personal and professional capacities in order to "close the dark chapter of violence in the dungeons of the past where it belongs."

"Many women and girls are still directly exposed to different forms of violence. According to the latest available data, 45 percent of women have said that they have experienced violence in any form, mostly physical, psychological, emotional, often in silence and by suppressing it, with a feeling of helplessness. This devastating fact, no matter how frightening it sounds, is actually a challenge to our perseverance towards the goal - gender equality and a society without the concept of violence," Gjorgjievska stressed, adding that she is firmly convinced there is help for a life without violence.

She noted that changes are not only necessary, but possible, and "empathy, solidarity, decisiveness are part of the arsenal in the fight against gender-based violence".

"Our goal is to build a future in which violence is an unimaginable concept. It requires the commitment of institutions, civil society, private sector, and individuals, as well as everyone else here. It is our responsibility to create conditions in which victims are protected, and the perpetrators are held accountable. Prevention must become a fundamental part of our collective conciseness. Raising and promoting awareness is at the core of the project for gender equality, prevention and protection from gender-based violence in North Macedonia," Gjorgjievska added.

The British Embassy Chargé d'affaires Julia Smith said that gender inequality survives and stagnates in many countries, even though women and girls make up one-half of the world's population, and this threatens their well-being and prevents them from accessing possibilities which are fundamental for their freedom and the development of education, health protection and work.

"In the last year all over the world we saw slow progress in gender equality and a reduction in the rights of women and girls. It is really important that we all work together to lower or change the direction of this trend. Anti-gender movements are increasingly gaining traction, fueled by disinformation connected to gender issues, and all of this presents a major threat to the development of gender equality," said Smith.

In North Macedonia, she added, legislation is seen as aligned with international standards for gender equality.

"But, many other challenges are still ahead in the prevention and protection against gender-based violence, as well as in the improvement of gender equality. This is the reason why in the previous year we worked together with UNFPA to achieve successful implementation of the Istanbul Convention and the law on prevention and protection against violence against women and gender-based violence. Today, we are proud to see that this project has reached its goal," Smith noted, adding that the Embassy will continue to cooperate with civil society and support the Government to reach the goals from the Convention.

Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Jovanka Trenchevska, pointed out that violence against women and domestic violence are present even in the most developed democratic countries, pointing out that it is the Government's responsibility to react decisively and timely and prevent violence, punish perpetrators and protect repeated victimization of the victims. ssh/nn/

Photo: MIA