“No excuse” for not protecting girls against gender-based violence

Skopje, 25 November 2024 – This 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we are reminded that the fight to end violence against women, is also a fight to protect girls from some of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world.

Sexual violence, child marriage and sex trafficking are all forms of gender-based violence that girls fall victim to. They occur in every country, across all segments of society. Many people, including family and community members, often misunderstand child sexual abuse and exploitation. Their reactions can be disbelieving or even blame the victim or enforcing silence or inaction to protect the perpetrator or preserve reputation and honor. Factors contributing to this issue include societal norms that give adults control over children and support patriarchal practices and attitudes, and weak laws that too often blame victims and exonerate perpetrators.

This year's theme for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is "No Excuse." With robust legislation in place, there is no reason why girls should not be protected from violence.

North Macedonia has made significant strides in enacting laws to safeguard girls from gender-based violence, in line with international human rights standards. The Law on Justice for Children guarantees the protection of child victims through measures to prevent revictimization. These include child-friendly arrangements for obtaining testimony from children with the aim of avoiding re-traumatization as a result of multiple and repetitive interviews. This law regulates that child victims shall enjoy enhanced protection and support from all institutions, bodies and individuals in the child justice system. This is crucial to ensure that victims seek out justice from a system that is ready to deliver.

The Criminal Code protects children from all forms of violence and imposes strict penalties to deter offenders. For instance, distributing child sexual abuse material is punishable by at least five years in prison. Raping a child under 15 is punishable by at least eight years in prison, as is child trafficking.

However, strong legislation can only achieve its intended impact if it is effectively implemented. In light of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, UNICEF urges the country to invest in the implementation of its legislative framework, including:

• Building the capacity of justice system professionals, including lawyers, to apply trauma-informed, child-sensitive approaches when working with children.
• Ensuring child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation have special procedural protection rights, access to support services, and timely, equitable remedies for rights violations.
• Properly enforcing and resourcing the Criminal Code and the Law on Justice for Children, with guidance and training for professionals. Offenders must be identified, appropriately sanctioned, and stopped from reoffending. There should be no impunity for accused offenders. This is crucial in order to gradually eradicate all forms of gender-based violence against girls and boys and build trust in the system.
• Ensuring the justice system delivers swift, efficient, and effective justice. Cases involving children should be prioritized, with court rules allowing for urgent action in serious cases to prevent irreversible consequences.