Skopje, November 23, 2023 - Today, an event was held in Skopje to acknowledge professionals working on protection and prevention of gender-based violence by awarding certificates as part of the project "Prevention and Protection from Gender-Based Violence in North Macedonia," conducted by UNFPA North Macedonia in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and with financial support from the British Embassy in Skopje.

At the event, opening remarks were given by Flakron Bexheti, State Secretary in the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Republic of North Macedonia, Matthew Lawson, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of North Macedonia, and Afrodita Shalja, Head of the UNFPA Office in North Macedonia. This was followed by the awarding of certificates.

At this event, 33 certificates were awarded for the successful completion of a ToT training to conduct initial education for professionals on gender-based violence against women and domestic violence. Additionally, certificates were given for a ToT training to conduct education for professionals on multi-sector collaboration for gender-based violence against women. This led to the formation of the first register of trainers for a multi-sector response from all institutions and organizations providing protection for victims of gender-based and domestic violence.

In addition to these, 18 operators from SOS hotlines received certificates for successfully completing a training cycle to enhance the capacities of operators.