The Wife of the President, Elizabeta Gjorgievska, addressed today the event “Your Body is Yours, both Online and in the Real World”, organized by the Office of the United Nations Population Fund – UNFPA in Skopje.
In her address, Gjorgievska said that gender-based violence in the internet space is insufficiently exposed topic that needs to be brought up to date and solutions to be found.
“Violence in the virtual world, although not physical, hurts equally and leaves lasting consequences. Many women around the world have experienced some form of gender-based violence perpetrated by abusing technology, while girls and young women are particularly susceptible to it”, Gjorgievska said.
She praised the drafting of the gender-based violence glossary, stressing that the more informed we are about the various ways in which the internet can be (mis)used as a tool for violence, the easier it will be to prevent it, respond appropriately and sanction it.
“About the violence that happens online, in the virtual space, we have to speak openly and loudly, constantly and persistently. Only in this way will it be easier to recognize it and thus prevent it. We must sensitize our female citizens that gender-based violence in the internet space is unacceptable and should be sanctioned and eradicated. Often many and especially young people are not aware of the seriousness of actions on social networks and feel free and confident behind the keyboard to be able to threaten another person, discriminating, insulting, committing violence. It must stop”, Gjorgievska said in her address.
She expressed her gratitude to all those who speak openly about the violence that happened to them and thus encourage other victims not to suppress and live in fear.
The event is part of UNFPA’s global campaign “Bodyright”, which is a global call to action to prevent violence against women and girls in cyberspace.
The event was addressed by Jovanka Trenchevska, Minister of Labor and Social Policy, John Kennedy Mosoti, Director of UNFPA in North Macedonia and Afrodita Shalja-Plavjanska, Head of the United Nations Population Fund office in the country.
