“Enough, we are not waiting for an eighth victim”: NGOs demand investigations and protection

Three civic networks have demanded immediate institutional investigations, changes to the law and emergency funding for victim protection after a string of femicides in North Macedonia. In an open letter they also called for a moratorium on ceremonial and promotional events planned as part of this year’s "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence" campaign.

The appeal was signed by the Network for Protection from Discrimination, the Platform for Gender Equality and the National Network against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. The organisations said seven femicides have occurred so far, and the most recent victim was a 17-year-old girl from Bogdanci.

According to the signatories, state bodies failed to provide protection even in cases where victims had previously reported violence and asked for help. "We do not need a state that mourns murdered women. We need a state that will protect them while they are alive," they wrote.

Key demands

The groups listed a set of urgent measures they expect from the Government, the Assembly and responsible institutions:

• An independent and thorough investigation of institutional responses in all femicide cases, especially where violence had been previously reported, with individual and institutional responsibility established.
• Immediate legislative changes to strengthen protection, including regulation of emergency measures and the use of electronic monitoring bracelets.
• Reintroducing the concepts of gender and gender equality into education laws, protection guidelines and sexual education programmes.
• Adoption of the conclusions from the parliamentary oversight hearing on gender-based violence, with concrete deadlines for institutions.
• Allocation of budget and specialised staff for police, social services, prosecutors, courts and health institutions.
• Stable public financing for specialised services: shelters, crisis intervention, psychosocial and legal assistance, child services and programmes for perpetrators.
• A public, binding plan with clear responsibilities, deadlines, budget and measurable results, with regular reporting by the Government and the Assembly.

The organisations urged that funds earmarked for ceremonial events and symbolic campaigns be redirected to immediate protection of women. They also called on the United Nations, the European Union, the OSCE, embassies and donors to use their political authority to demand accountability from state institutions.

Proposing a change of focus for the campaign, the signatories suggested this year’s "16 Days of Activism" become "16 Days of Institutional Responsibility", during which laws would be adopted, budgets secured and concrete obligations undertaken. "The orange color does not save lives. Institutions must save lives," they said.

"Enough. We are not waiting for an eighth victim," the three networks concluded in their joint letter.

Photo: press material from the event