North Macedonia has made important steps in addressing femicide, becoming the first country in the Western Balkans to criminalize the killing of women in the context of gender-based violence. However, despite instances of good practice, the implementation of these legal frameworks remains inconsistent and, in some cases, insufficient. The need for a more integrated approach across sectors is essential to ensure that victims of gender-based violence are adequately protected, and that femicide cases are prosecuted effectively. This issue was the focus of the roundtable discussion “Femicide in North Macedonia — Effectiveness of the Judicial Response”, organised by the AIRE Centre and the National Network to End Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, with the support of the UK Government.
The event brought together over 30 participants from judicial and legislative institutions, international organisations, civil society, and academia, alongside leading experts in human rights and gender equality. Focus of the discussion was to assess the legal and institutional responses to femicide and explore opportunities for improvement.
In his opening statement, Alen Dereban, Deputy Minister of Justice, highlighted that while North Macedonia has made significant steps with the criminalization of femicide, the real challenge lies in the implementation of these laws.
“Laws have no value without implementation, without efficient judicial practices that will ensure just and prompt punishment for perpetrators. We need trained judges and prosecutors who will know how to handle these cases, who will understand the deep patriarchal roots of femicide, and who will ensure that justice is swift but also properly achieved”, said Dereban.
Dereban further emphasized that femicide is a crime that affects not only the victim but the very foundation of society. “Therefore, I appeal to everyone: only together can we build a society where there is no place for impunity for perpetrators. If we want to achieve this, we must strengthen and protect the judicial system. Proper and timely processing of all femicide cases will ensure trust in justice. Also, only through full protection of victims and proactive prevention measures can we begin to reduce the number of femicide cases.”
Sabina Đapo, Western Balkans Programme Manager at the AIRE Centre, highlighted the importance of continued regional dialogue and collaboration to address femicide effectively. She noted that this event marks a continuation of the AIRE Centre’s efforts to foster cross-sector cooperation across the region.
“This roundtable brings together key stakeholders — from government institutions and the judiciary to civil society and academia — to develop a more integrated and effective response to femicide. Our discussions have been open and constructive, but now, in North Macedonia, we are focusing on the critical next step: implementation. North Macedonia has taken important legislative steps in addressing gender-based violence and femicide, making it an important case for learning”, said Đapo.
A key focus of the event was the role of the judiciary in addressing femicide and gender-based violence. The AIRE Centre has played a crucial role in promoting regional cooperation among judges through the Gender Champions in the Judiciary Network. This unique initiative, only one of its kind in Europe, brings together over 60 judges from across the region to strengthen judicial understanding and response to gender-based crimes.
Gabrijela Gajdova, judge of the Court of Appeal in Skopje and the member of this Network, shared insights on the role judges play in ensuring that femicides are adjudicated effectively, drawing on recommendations from the recent study by the AIRE centre “Femicide in the Republic of North Macedonia: The State of Affairs, the Legal Framework and the Court Practice”.
“Research shows that a more serious approach to this phenomenon is needed by the courts in the course of assessing the evidence and establishing the facts, but also in the course of imposing sentences, because inadequate punishment leads to distrust, non-reporting of violence, repetition of the violence and allowing it to culminate”, said judge Gajdova.
This discussion comes at a crucial time, as judicial decisions have the power to set important precedents in the fight against femicide.
“A bright spot in our judiciary is the judgment of the Kochani Basic Court, rendered on the basis of a guilty plea, thereby sentencing to life imprisonment a defendant who was charged with femicide, and this is a positive example of how judicial authorities should act in assessing the facts and determining that it is a case of femicide, not ordinary murder, and how mitigating and aggravating circumstances should be assessed without gender prejudice when determining the type and amount of the criminal sanction”, added Gajdova.
Spasenka Andonova, a prosecutor from the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje, emphasized the crucial role of prosecutors in investigating and prosecuting femicide cases, as well as in preventing such crimes through early intervention and systemic improvements.
“Prosecutors are often the first line of defense for victims, and their actions shape how femicide cases are handled. A coordinated, cross-institutional approach is essential to ensure effective collaboration between the judiciary, law enforcement, social services, and civil society. Prosecutors must be equipped with the necessary training and resources to investigate femicide cases thoroughly, ensuring timely and fair justice for victims while holding perpetrators fully accountable. At the same time, proactive measures — such as recognizing early warning signs, improving protective measures, and ensuring fast intervention — are essential to prevent femicides before they occur”, said prosecutor Andonova.
To address the lack of systematic tracking and data on femicide, the AIRE Centre’s study emphasized the importance of femicide watch in monitoring cases, analyzing trends, and providing critical data for prevention. As a key step in introducing this internationally recognized mechanism at the national level, the National Network to End Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence announced the launch of Femicide Watch next month in North Macedonia.
“The establishment of Femicide Watch is a powerful step forward, empowering us as civil society organisations dedicated to this critical issue. It will also provide relevant institutions with the tools needed to identify and bridge gaps in the system of preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. By working together and developing effective solutions, we can overcome these challenges and move closer to our ultimate goal: achieving Zero Tolerance to Violence Against Women and ensuring Zero Femicides in the future”, explained Elena Dimushevska, Executive Director of this Network.
Andrew Brand, Head of Programmes at the British Embassy in Skopje, reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to supporting efforts to address gender-based violence.
“Although North Macedonia is the first country in the Balkans to criminalise femicide, public conversations on femicide must continue to take place to highlight the legal, societal, and cultural issues that still need to be addressed. These discussions help strengthen laws, improve support systems, and raise public awareness that collective action is needed to address this issue. We are pleased that the UK has partnered with the AIRE Center to facilitate a discussion on the theme between policymakers, justice sector representatives and civil society in Skopje, today.”, said Brand.
