BRJ Balkan Research Journal BRJ 2955-2516 2955-2524 Balkan University Press 296 Research Article Barriers to Justice: Access to Legal Protection for Victims of Gender-Based Violence in North Macedonia After the Istanbul Convention Ejupi Fjolla Arifi Besa Faculty of Law, South East European University, Tetovo, North Macedonia South East European University, Tetovo, North Macedonia 30 11 2025 2 2 51 64 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive violation of human rights, affecting millions worldwide. In response, the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention sets comprehensive standards to prevent violence against women and ensure victim protection and access to justice. North Macedonia ratified the Convention in 2017, signaling its commitment to tackling GBV legally and institutionally. However, this paper critically examines the extent to which victims in North Macedonia can access effective legal protection post-ratification. Drawing on legislative analysis, institutional reports, and socio-cultural studies, it reveals enduring systemic, cultural, psychological, and procedural barriers that limit justice access. The study underscores the gap between formal reforms and lived realities, highlighting the need for deeper structural and cultural transformation to fulfill international obligations and protect vulnerable populations.

 Keywords: gender-based violence Istanbul Convention access to justice North Macedonia legal protection References Amnesty International. (2019). Barriers to justice: The experience of Roma women facing gender-based violence in North Macedonia. Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur05/1234/2019/en/Amnesty International. (2022). Shelter crisis: Insufficient support for victims of domestic violence in North Macedonia. Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/ eur05/5678/2022/en / Campbell, J. C. (2002). Health consequences of intimate partner violence. The Lancet, 359(9314), 1331–1336. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08336-8 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08336-8 Council of Europe. (2011). Council of Europe convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). https://rm.coe.int/168046031c Council of Europe. (2020). Monitoring report on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the Western Balkans. Council of Europe. https://www.coe.int/en/web/istanbul-convention HERA. (2020). Domestic violence and institutional response in Skopje: A case study. HERA NGO. HERA. (2022). Victim-centered approaches to gender-based violence cases in North Macedonia. HERA NGO. Health Rights. (2020). Social services and healthcare for survivors of gender-based violence. Health Rights Organization. Helsinki Committee for Human Rights. (2021). Legal protection and enforcement of restraining orders in North Macedonia. Macedonian Helsinki Committee. Human Rights Watch. (2020). Gender-based violence in the Western Balkans: Social stigma and justice barriers. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/10/14/gender-based-violence-western-balkans Human Rights Watch. (2022). Failures in protection: Survivors of domestic violence in North Macedonia. Human Rights Watch. Jovanovska, M., & Velkoska, M. (2021). Police attitudes towards domestic violence victims in North Macedonia: A critical analysis. Journal of Balkan Studies, 15(2), 45–62. Kamberi, S. (2019). Patriarchal norms and their impact on women’s rights in North Macedonia. Southeastern European Journal of Social Sciences, 7(1), 23–37. Kamberi, S., & Mekic, E. (2018). Family pressure and reporting barriers in domestic violence cases. Journal of Gender Studies, 12(3), 112–129. Ministry of Interior. (2022). Annual report on domestic violence cases in North Macedonia. Ministry of Interior. Ministry of Justice. (2022). Judicial statistics and protective measure applications. Ministry of Justice. Macedonian Helsinki Committee (MHC). (2019). Survey on police treatment of gender-based violence victims. MHC. National Statistical Office. (2021). Survey on women’s experience with violence. National Statistical Office of North Macedonia. Open Society Foundation. (2020). Access to justice for Roma women in the Balkans. Open Society Foundation. OSCE. (2020). Police responses to domestic violence in North Macedonia: Challenges and opportunities. Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. OSCE. (2021). Judicial training on gender-based violence in North Macedonia. Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Transparency International. (2022). Judicial efficiency and case backlogs in North Macedonia. Transparency International. UNDP. (2022). Gender equality and social inclusion in North Macedonia: A focus on minority communities. United Nations Development Programme. UN Women. (2021). Gender-based violence in North Macedonia: Institutional capacity and challenges. UN Women. World Bank. (2021). Socio-cultural factors influencing gender equality in North Macedonia. The World Bank.