Geneva, 30th October 2018
PRESS RELEASE
Women, sexual and gender minorities in Macedonia are discriminated against in all spheres of social life and their rights are not respected
Women, sexual and gender minorities in Macedonia are discriminated against in all spheres of social life and their rights are not respected. This has been the main message of the Macedonian NGOs conveyed in Geneva in front of the United Nations Committee in charge of monitoring and implementation of the Convention for Elimination of All Forms of Violence against Women by the Republic of Macedonia.
The Macedonian NGOs representatives stated in front of the Committee that in the period between 2008 and 2016, 70 women were murdered in this country, out of which 51 were victims of femicide, i.e. murdered because they were women. Moreover, 80% of them were murdered by their intimate partner. These figures emphasize the fact that the state has failed to provide protection for victims of gender-based violence.
There was also a STAR-STAR, sex workers-led organization, representative in front of the Committee, who pointed out that 68% of sex workers have been subjected to violence due to their choice of job and that they have limited access to healthcare and social services, as well as legal protection. Upon Global Fund’s withdrawal from Macedonia, and overtaking the financing for the HIV preventative programs amongst sex workers, the state has not been able to provide financial means for legal assistance for sex workers, as well as free gynecological services, which negatively impacts on their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in the United Nations convenes every four years, the point at which the implementation of the Convention for Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is monitored. The Convention was ratified by the Republic of Macedonia in 1994. The Convention for Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United Nations’ General Assembly in 1979. Frequently referred to as an International Law for Women’s Rights, this Convention defines the meaning of discrimination against women and outlines legal framework for member countries in terms of putting this discrimination to an end.
NGOs: Coalition Margins, HOPS, STAR-STAR, Association ESE, Action Zdruzhenska, Open gate Macedonia, European Center for Roma Rights, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in the Republic of Macedonia – LGBTI Support Center, Association HERA, Association Reaktor – Research in Action, Roma Women Initiative from Shuto Orizari, Center for Integration – Umbrella, Center for Social Initiatives Hope, Association Sumnal, National Farmers’ Association, National Roma Center, Network for Roma Advocacy, ECOM – Eurasian Coalition on Male Health.
In addition, you can watch the video with the brief statement from the STAR-STAR representative in front of the United Nations Committee in charge of monitoring and implementation of the Convention for Elimination of Discrimination Against Women: