North Macedonia Leads Regional Progress on Women, Peace, and Security with OSCE Support
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A sustained partnership between the OSCE Mission to Skopje and North Macedonian institutions is driving significant gains in women’s political participation, security sector leadership, and protection from violence, marking a quarter-century of commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
For 25 years, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 has affirmed the critical role of women in building lasting peace, stability, and democracy. In North Macedonia, the OSCE Mission to Skopje has been a driving force in translating this global commitment into tangible progress, working alongside state institutions and civil society organizations for over two decades. The results demonstrate a clear path toward a more inclusive and secure future.
Empowering Women in Politics
North Macedonia is emerging as a regional leader in women’s political participation, thanks in large part to sustained support from the OSCE Mission. Through long-term collaboration with the Parliament, the country has cultivated a model of gender-sensitive governance. Consecutive Action Plans for Equal Opportunities between Women and Men, coupled with amendments to parliamentary rules and targeted training for Members of Parliament and staff, have demonstrably expanded opportunities for women leaders.
The impact is striking: today, women hold 40% of parliamentary seats – one of the highest rates in the region. This achievement underscores the power of intentional policy and sustained investment in gender equality.
Breaking Barriers in the Security Sector
Recognizing that inclusive security is stronger security, the OSCE Mission partnered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to launch a transformative Gender Mentoring Programme in 2017. To date, over 150 police officers – both women and men – have participated, leading to an 18% increase in women’s representation in senior police positions.
This initiative isn’t isolated. Similar programs are now being adopted across other public institutions, signaling a growing understanding that diversity and inclusion are essential for professional, accountable, and people-centered public services.
Combating Violence Against Women and Girls
The OSCE Mission employs a comprehensive, cross-dimensional approach to strengthen institutional responses and accountability in preventing violence against women and girls. This includes specialized training for police cadets and officers in gender-sensitive interviewing techniques, improvements to interview room conditions to protect survivors’ dignity, and the development of evidence-based tools for early prevention.
A key milestone is the upcoming establishment of the Femicide Watch Platform in 2025. This collaborative initiative will improve data collection, inter-agency coordination, and policy action to address the critical issue of femicide. A data visualization showing the trend of reported gender-based violence cases in North Macedonia over the past decade would be a valuable addition here.
Strengthening Collaboration and Accountability
To amplify women’s voices and protect their rights, the OSCE Mission has actively fostered collaboration between women human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and national human rights institutions, including the Ombudsperson Institution and the Commission for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination. This collaboration resulted in a Participatory Gender Audit and an Action Plan on Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming, ensuring inclusive approaches are integrated into the work of these vital institutions. Joint training and reporting initiatives have also enhanced the documentation and response to cases of discrimination and gender-based violence, creating more effective accountability and protection mechanisms.
Embedding Gender Equality in Legislation
In 2024, the OSCE Mission collaborated with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Ministry of Information Society and Administration to develop the Handbook on Gender Equality Regulatory Impact Assessment. This handbook is now a mandatory tool for reviewing all draft legislation, ensuring that the potential impact on women and men is carefully considered, and reinforcing fair and inclusive policy-making processes.
As the world commemorates 25 years of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, the OSCE Mission to Skopje reaffirms its unwavering commitment to empowering women and fostering equal opportunities as cornerstones of lasting peace and stability.
“Ensuring that women and men have equal opportunities to participate in decision-making is essential for peace and democratic security,” said Ambassador Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje. “Through strong partnerships and sustained commitment, North Macedonia continues to demonstrate that progress is possible when everyone has a voice and a role in shaping the future.”
