Skopje, November 25/December 10, 2023 – The campaign "16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence" began on November 25 with the performance of the theater play "Things We Don't Talk About" by Wonderland Theatre, directed by Nela Vitosevic. This year's campaign, themeцd "Encouraged and Protected," will run until December 10.

The Delegation of the European Union in Skopje, the OSCE Mission to Skopje, and the United Nations family joined forces to raise awareness of the long-term societal impact caused by gender-based violence.

Throughout the 16 days of activism, various events have been organized, including theater plays, community discussions, concerts, exhibitions, and panel discussions.

As part of the campaign, UNFPA organized several events with young people in the communities of the municipalities of Gostivar, Bitola, and Veles. These events were attended by youth, representatives from municipalities, the UN, and the EU, as well as non-governmental organizations providing support to victims of gender-based violence. Discussions focused on understanding gender-based violence, how to prevent it, especially among young people, and how to motivate youth to offer mutual support and assistance.

Additionally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and with the support of the British Embassy in Skopje, local events were held in several municipalities, including Skopje, Negotino, Veles, and Bitola. Discussions focused on providing help and support to victims of gender-based violence, the responsibilities and competences of institutions, recognizing different forms of violence, the power of collective engagement for achieving gender equality, and abandoning harmful social norms. The campaign, titled "Jigsaw," featured speakers from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, and representatives from various civil and international organizations, as well as the Centers for Social Work.

Furthermore, with the support of the British Embassy in Skopje, UNFPA continued to implement the campaign "There is Help for Life Without Violence," which is taking place continuously throughout the year.