The Legal Protection of Victims of Gender-Based Violence Following the Ratification of the Istanbul Convention in North Macedonia

This paper examines the legal protection of victims of gender-based violence in North Macedonia after ratifying the Istanbul Convention. It focuses on the legal reforms introduced to enhance victim protection and their implementation in the Macedonian context. The analysis covers the legal framework before and after ratification, evaluating changes in national legislation, including stricter laws and protective measures for victims. In order to examine the legal protection of victims of gender-based violence in North Macedonia, a combination of legal, institutional, and statistical analyses will be applied. As for the legal analysis, we will examine the legal framework for the protection of victims of gender-based violence (the Penal Code and other laws stemming from the Convention, etc.). The institutional analysis will investigate the deficiencies and gaps faced by victims. Statistical analysis will be used to examine trends in reported cases of GBV after the ratification of the Convention, to assess the impact of legal reforms. Statistical analyses will be used from relevant institutions to reflect the situation of victims over a five-year period. These analyses will provide a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape and its impact on gender-based violence victims in North Macedonia. In conclusion, continued reforms, stronger inter-institutional cooperation, and increased public education are essential to improve the protection of victims of gender-based violence in North Macedonia.