In addition to the formal, real protection of women from violence is necessary, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said at the public hearing on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, held by the Parliamentary Commission for Equal Opportunities оф Women and Men.
According to her, the State Audit Office Report provides a precise diagnosis of the real situation and reveals systemic deficiencies in the implementation of the Istanbul Convention.
Her key recommendations are: urgent adoption of the National Strategy 2026 – 2033; expansion of the network of shelters; provision of long-term financial support to victims; introduction of standards in the provision of services by social centers; employment of appropriate, professional staff and their continuous training, as well as faster licensing of SOS lines. She believes that psychosocial treatment programs are needed not only for victims, but also for perpetrators.
The President pointed out the need for clear criteria in the distribution of finances, based on a prior analysis of costs.
The penal policy regarding domestic violence and femicide must be tightened, she stressed.
Siljanovska-Davkova warned that women remain unprotected at a critical moment as a result of dysfunctionality and lack of coordination between institutions. As a result, femicide is growing, institutional distrust is deepening and our credibility in fulfilling international obligations is being undermined.
Pointing to the Ministry of Interior’s devastating statistics on the number of victims, participants in the public debate advocated for systemic changes aimed at preventing domestic violence, as well as an appropriate response to crimes related to violence.
The session was addressed by the President of the Commission, Zaklina Pesevska, the Vice President of the Parliament, Vesna Bendevska, the Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Gjoko Velkovski, and the Assistant to the Chief State Auditor, Katerina Caloska Aleksovska.
Representatives from state institutions at national and local level, the civil sector and international organizations participated in the discussion.
