On 25 November last year, we announced protests every 25th of the month until our request are heard and the state undertake concrete steps towards enhancing protection of women victims of domestic violence and establishing a framework for the protection of all forms of gender-based violence. Until now, we didn’t receive any response from the minister, so today we’re organizing the Third protest in front of the Ministry for labour and social policy. Revolted by the outcome from the Kavadarci case, where three people were killed, and the officials who failed to act appropriately procedure and protocols received only penalties, we are asking: Does our lives worth 200 euros ?!
We are asking:
1. What have you done to strengthen and implement existing legislation that addresses different forms of violence against women and children, including sexual and domestic violence?
2. What have you done to train police officers to respond properly and professionally to such cases of violence against women and domestic violence?
3. What have you done to train professionals in the centers for social welfare and health professionals to act appropriately and professionally in cases of violence against women and domestic violence?
4. What have to done to encourage reporting of cases of different forms of violence against women and domestic violence?
5. What have you done to increase the availability and effectiveness of temporary measures for protection from domestic violence?
6. What have you done to improve the system for collecting data on victims of domestic violence?
7. What have you done to establish a system for collecting data on different forms of violence against women?
8. What have you done to increase the number of shelter centers for women and children victims of domestic violence?
9. Have you undertake any steps to provide services for protection of different forms of violence against women?
10. What have you done to raise awareness of the general population about the negative consequences of violence against women and children?
11. What have you done to increase the knowledge of general population about existence of different forms of violence against women and how to prevent them?
12. What have you done to ratify the Council of Europe Convention for prevention and protection from all forms of violence against women and domestic violence?
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO PROTECT US FROM FUTURE VIOLENCE?
We are demanding:
– Opening of specialized shelter for women victims of violence, available in each region, with one bed for every 10,000 inhabitants; or if shelters are part of a social intervention strategy should be one place for a family of 10,000 women;
– At least one free national helpline which will cover all forms of violence against women, operational 24 hours 7 days a week and providing crisis support in all languages used in the community; standardization programs SOS operators;
– Opening of crisis centers to help victims of rape, a minimum one in 200 000 women;
– Opening of centers for victims of sexual violence, at least one in 400 000 women;
– Opening at least one counseling center of 50 000 women (who will provide counseling of any type: crisis intervention, psychological counseling, legal aid and others.);
– Training of professional staff providing services for victims of different forms of violence with a commitment to continuous professional development;
– Sustainability of services by developing a program for government support.
We ask Minister Mr. Dime Spasov – Are existing shelters managed by the MLSP functional? How many women have been accommodated in the past year? Do you think the existence of these shelters are in compliance with the obligation to provide protection against domestic violence?
In Macedonia services for other forms of violence against women doesn’t exist. Existing services and resources are predominantly focused to victims of domestic violence, and other forms of violence against women, especially sexual violence are forgotten. Institutions lack professional staff trained to work with other forms of violence. There is no standardization of services between providers – organizations and institutions.
