MTSP: “Jigsaw” encourages and supports, through inter-institutional cooperation, a comprehensive response to the issue of violence against women

The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy together with the offices of UNFPA in the Republic of North Macedonia with the support of the British Embassy in RSM continued with the implementation of the “Jigsaw” campaign within the global campaign 16 days of activism to combat violence against women. For this purpose, a panel discussion was held on the topic “Discrimination, economic dependence and mistrust – the root of gender-based violence” in Shuto Orizari. The panel discussion was addressed by: Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Jovanka Trenchevska, Deputy Minister of Justice, Viktorija Avramovska Madic, Deputy Minister of Health, Maja Manoleva, Executive Director of “Pablik”, Klimentina Ilijevski, representative of the “Initiative for the Rights of the women – Shuto Orizari”, Aysel Amet.

At the event, the speeches covered the legal aspect and the health aspect as key segments in helping and responding to violence, the benefits of social mentoring and the facilitated inclusion of women victims in the labor market were also highlighted.

At the discussion, Deputy Minister of Justice, Madic spoke about the offices established by the Ministry of Justice in order to provide free legal assistance to victims who have suffered violence.

“We made a special effort to improve the position of Roma women in terms of providing free legal aid. That’s why we opened an office in Šuto Orizari, the goal is not to be present among the most vulnerable categories of citizens,” said Madić.

Deputy Minister, Manoleva spoke about health treatment and care for victims of sexual violence as one of the priorities of the Ministry of Health.

“The three Centers for protection against sexual violence are actively functioning (at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic in Skopje, in the Tetovo Clinical Hospital and in the Kumanovo General Hospital), where a multi-sectoral approach is applied to victims of sexual violence. In the centers, all services are free, that is, the victims are not required to provide an identification document or financial resources. They are accessible and adapted for people with disabilities, and hydraulic gynecological chairs are installed in them,” said Manoleva.

In her address, the Executive Director of “Pablik” spoke about her personal experiences in extracting the victims from the cycle of violence and integrating them into the labor market. She explained social mentoring as a process and said that those who want to enter the labor market but do not have the courage to do so, social mentors are there for them.

“We are currently working on amendments to the Law on Social Protection, so that the mentored person will not lose the Guaranteed Minimum Assistance when he is involved in the process of social mentoring.” “Out of all previous employment through social mentoring, 80% have kept their employment, that is, out of 15 women victims of violence, 13 are on the labor market, while 3 of them have asked for additional help to progress in the workplace,” said Ilijevska.

At the panel discussion, the representative of the “Initiative for Women’s Rights – Shuto Orizari”, Aysel Amet emphasized the role of the association.

“The goal of the Initiative for Women’s Rights of Shuto Orizari – Skopje is for every young Roma girl and woman to exercise their social, economic and health rights freely and equally, on an equal basis with other women, without discrimination. The association achieves its goal by representing, empowering and educating young Roma girls and women to exercise their social, economic and health rights, without discrimination, and at the same time by providing and offering information, social services and legal assistance to exercise their rights,” said Aysel. Amet.

In her address, Minister Trenchevska focused on the goal of the “Jigsaw” campaign, she emphasized that new forms of violence should be discussed more often for raising awareness and for a comprehensive response. The minister also spoke about economic strengthening and what the ministry is doing. “I encourage you to use the measures of the Operational Plan implemented by the ministry for easier inclusion in the labor market. Economic empowerment is one of the main factors in the fight against violence,” Trenchevska said.