“This is not an easy job but a rewarding one, especially when you realize that you have helped a woman to live free from violence and move on with her life.”
Stojne Miteva, 42, from Strumica in south-eastern North Macedonia, volunteers as a psychologist and leads the work at a shelter for survivors of gender-based and domestic violence.
Having previously worked as a journalist in Strumica, Ms. Miteva had covered stories about domestic violence and produced documentary films about women survivors of violence. She realized there was a need for facilities for survivors and she created the “Skaj Plus” organization to assist survivors of violence.
“The team working in the survivor centre in Strumica works with full dedication for securing a home in which women survivors will feel secure and safe,” said Ms. Miteva. “We provide counselling and phyco-social support to assist them in regaining their self-esteem, stand on their own feet and reintegrate in the community.”
In January 2020, a survivor centre was created with the assistance of the Municipality of Strumica, private businesses, the Red Cross and a local church. The centre has 13 beds for survivors and their children who receive assistance from a social worker, caregiver, coordinator and an assistant.
“In the shelter, we found peace and were able to have a good night’s sleep,” said Ana1 who stayed at the centre for a year with her two children. “Thanks to the team, we came out stronger and braver. During our stay, we lived with other occupants in the shelter and we supported each other because we all shared the same troubles.”
Following the support Ana received at the shelter, she found a better paid job, was granted an apartment through the state social housing scheme and began to rebuild her life.
UNFPA supports the Government of North Macedonia by investing in capacities of institutions for continuous training of front-line workers. UNFPA assists with the implementation of an integrated policy against gender-based violence in compliance with the Istanbul Convention principles and promoting the services available to women and girl survivors. At present, there are 13 specialized services for women survivors of violence in six regions of North Macedonia, as well as three crisis centres for victims of sexual violence and ten specialized counselling centres for women survivors and eight for perpetrators. UNFPA, in cooperation with local communities, has organised a series of community events to promote these services.
While this marks significant progress since the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in North Macedonia, it still does not fulfil all the requirements.
“With our partners – the British Embassy and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy – we’re working to operationalize the legal framework, expand services, and improve data collection and analysis,” said Zhaklina Geshtakovska-Aleksovska, UNFPA Gender Programme Analyst, North Macedonia.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has placed gender equality high on its agenda, especially when it comes to ending violence against women and girls.
“Violence against women represents one of the most pervasive violations of human rights,” said Svetana Cvetkovska, Head of the Sector for Equal Opportunities at the Ministry. “Very often, it remains unspoken and unreported. It is a problem of society as a whole and the state and the institutions have the commitment to prevent and provide protection to survivors, support their reintegration into society, punish the perpetrators and help their resocialization.”
In November 2022, the Government adopted amendments to the Criminal Code to comply with the Istanbul Convention, which includes a definition of gender-based violence against women and incrimination of all forms of gender-based violence.
UNFPA works to promote the services available for the prevention of gender-based and domestic violence against women and the protection of survivors contributing to the improvement of the lives of women.
“I am glad there is a shelter in Strumica because there was nowhere to go before,” said Ana. “The centre helped us a lot. I feel much stronger now, have more confidence and my children walk proudly, heads high.”
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1The name is fictional to protect the privacy and identity of the woman survivor of violence.
