Macedonia: Information on laws, protection or assistance available to women who are abused by their spouse, or ex-spouse
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MCD16751.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Macedonia: Information on laws, protection or assistance available to women who are abused by their spouse, or ex-spouse, 1 March 1994, MCD16751.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aad060.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Country Reports 1993 indicates that little information is available on the extent of violence against women, including domestic violence, occurring in Macedonia (1994, 969). In 1993, the same source reports, a few women's advocacy or support groups were beginning to organise (ibid.). This source also states that "Macedonian society, both in the Christian and Muslim communities, is traditionally patriarchal, and the advancement of women into nontraditional roles is still limited" (ibid.).
According to the 1991 second periodic report of Yugoslavia to the UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women, it is most frequently women who are victims of family violence in Yugoslavia (1991, 77). The report also indicates that only few cases of abuse were reported, this is reportedly because of social pressure exercised on women to protect their image and the well-being of their children, and also because of women's fears that their husbands, on whom they depend economically, might seek vengence (ibid.). Please consult the attached document for further information on violence against women in the former Yugoslavia in 1991.
Additional information on laws, protection or assistance available to abused women in currently unavailable to the DIRB in Ottawa.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1993. 1994. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
United Nations. 1993. (A/46/38). Rapport du Comité pour l'élimination de la discrimination à l'égard des femmes.
Attachments
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1993. 1994. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
United Nations. 1993. (A/46/38). Rapport du Comité pour l'élimination de la discrimination à l'égard des femmes.
Other source consulted
Women's International Network (WIN). Monthly.
