News

March 6, 2024

Interviewer: Louise Rosenbaum

Interviewee: Elena Dimushevska

New Paths for Women’s Rights

Elena Dimushevska is the Executive Director for the National Network to End Violence against Women and Domestic Violence – Voice against Violence since 2011. Elena is also a member of the National Coordinating Body for Violence against Women and Domestic Violence in North Macedonia. Elena's professional background is in psychotherapy, and she has used these skills to directly help women victims of domestic violence. Elena is a published author dedicated to researching issues on violence against women and gender equality. She has also been a member of many working groups that create legislation related to violence against women and domestic violence.

Interview Transcript:

Louise: What has been your most inspiring work during your time here at the UN?

Elena: It is my first time here, and it was very useful to see how the UN system works and how we can do our advocacy work here related to women's rights and gender-based violence.  

Although North Macedonia in the past has improved the framework for gender-based violence, the main challenge is still the implementation, starting from allocating enough human and financial resources. So, I used my time here to share burning issues in my country and ask for support from delegates. 

Louise: North Macedonia is up for periodic review, what are your primary recommendations? 

Elena: Develop a new action plan for alignment with the articles from the Istanbul Convention, which will be developed in close operations with the Women Civil Society Organization (CSO) with the goal of having enough funds allocated from national and local budgets. Another recommendation would be to establish an independent expert body to implement the National Action Plan (NAP) in close cooperation with relevant institutions, which also be responsible for its monetary implementation. 

Louise: How has your experience been partnering with The Advocates for Human Rights to protect women's rights? 

Elena: The experience was amazing because with them we use advocacy approaches that are quite different from those we had used before. During my week in Geneva, I learned a lot of new tactics for advocacy work here at the UN. 

Louise: Why are women's issues so challenging to protect? Can you give me an example?

Elena: Addressing women's issues poses significant challenges due to deeply ingrained societal norms and perceptions that often undervalue or overlook the concerns of women. These challenges are exacerbated by systemic biases that marginalize women's voices, making it difficult to bring attention to and secure adequate protection for their rights and well-being. For example, in North Macedonia, efforts to combat gender-based violence and promote gender equality face hurdles in both public awareness and institutional support. The practical implementation often falls short despite legislative advances, such as the Law on Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence.

Louise: How do you navigate the complexities of international diplomacy in your work?

Elena: One key focus is establishing partnerships with NGOs from the region, both European and global, to share experiences and positive practices for joining forces in all the advocacy work we do. Another critical factor is promoting our work in front of embassies and other international organizations, like UN organizations, and sharing information with them about the current situation in North Macedonia. 

Louise: How do you maintain your motivation and optimism in the face of the significant challenges tackled by the UN?

Elena: Besides the advocacy work we do, we also provide direct support to women and children victims of violence, through our counseling centers established in many cities across the country, so our motivation comes from knowing that we helped many women together with their children to leave violent relationships and environment and start a new life free from violence.

Louise: What is your relationship with WAVE? 

Elena: The National Network has been a member organization of WAVE for 12 years. We have worked with WAVE on joint reports focused on gender-based violence in the Balkan states together with other members from within the region 

Louise: What are the main challenges the National Network faces in its international and/or domestic advocacy efforts, and how do you navigate them?

Elena: The main challenge is that violence against women is not a priority for the national government, which means that very little or no funding is allocated to improving the system for support. On the international level, the main challenge is that although we have a good legislative framework for violence against women and domestic violence, we still have to prove that it is not implemented and the support system for women and children victims is not functional, meaning they are not providing the needed support. 

Louise: Given the complex nature of violence against women, can you provide an example of a challenging issue National Network has addressed and how?

Elena: One of the most challenging issues we face is marital rape. For years, we have been discussing that sexual relations between people who are part of a marriage or a relationship have to be consensual, and since Macedonian society is quite traditional, we received negative feedback from the government and the general population. However, with strong advocacy efforts, we successfully educated Macedonians about marital rape. Now marital rape is under our criminal code, and the person who commits marital rape will be punished with a higher sentence. 

Louise: How would you describe the connections and collaborations the National Network has established through its network and with external partners? How do these relationships enhance your efforts to combat violence against women and promote gender equality?

Elena: The National Network has forged vital partnerships with NGOs, media corporations, and other stakeholders to amplify its fight against violence towards women and advocate for gender equality. These collaborations enrich the network's efforts by pooling resources and expertise, ensuring the dissemination of accurate information, and fostering a unified approach to address multifaceted issues. By leveraging the strengths of various partners, The Network enhances public awareness, supports survivors, and mobilizes a broader base for change nationally and internationally. Such strategic alliances are pivotal in creating a more informed and engaged community, driving systemic change, and promoting a culture of zero tolerance towards violence against women.

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