Project Update
Turning evidence into action to protect young women and girls
- Issued on:
- Issued by:
- OSCE Mission to Skopje
- Fields of work:
- Gender equality, Gender-based violence
Findings presented at a high-level event will guide coordinated action through the Youth Violence Prevention Task Force.
Skopje, 17 December 2025 – The OSCE Mission to Skopje today presented new research on online and offline violence against young women and girls in public life, shedding light on why many feel unsafe in public spaces. The high-level event, “From Data to Dialogue and Action,” brought together state institutions, civil society, academia, and youth representatives to ensure evidence translates into practical action.
Ambassador Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, highlighted the importance of turning research into impact: “When violence happens, silence is not an option. We all have a responsibility to react and to report. Reports of violence must be treated as a priority, and institutions are obliged to act with due diligence.”
Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth Fatmir Limani emphasized coordinated social support: “We must build a system that responds early, in a humane and co-ordinated way, so no woman is left alone. We are preparing a new Strategy for Addressing Violence against Women and Domestic Violence for 2026–2033, together with an Action Plan for 2025–2029. These strategic documents will guide timely and effective protection for every woman.”
Conducted by Indago, the research surveyed 600 young women and girls aged 18–29 across all planning regions and included focus groups with civil society and experts. Findings reveal how socio-economic factors, education, and location shape perceptions of safety, while reporting remains limited. Emerging risks, including digital violence, highlight the need for targeted prevention and protection measures.
The OSCE Mission to Skopje, through the Youth Violence Prevention Task Force, will work with national stakeholders to integrate the recommendations into policy, institutional reform, and practical measures - ensuring long-term, measurable impact for young women and girls across North Macedonia.
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