Helsinki Committee for Human Rights – Skopje

Total budget: 5,547,802 MKD

Specific theme: Social inclusion

Implementation period: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2026

Partners:

Association HOPS – Options for Healthy Living Skopje
Coalition for Sexual and Health Rights of Marginalised Communities MARGINS Skopje

Constituents: Women from marginalised communities in the Skopje planning region who are at greater risk of unequal treatment due to their specific circumstances or personal characteristics. Special focus will be placed on women from rural areas, women from the LGBTI community, and women at social risk (women who use drugs, sex workers, prisoners, homeless women).

For the project supported by Civica Mobilitas:

Equality Now – Empowering Marginalised Communities for Social Inclusion and Non-Discrimination

ACTION DESCRIPTION

The main benefit of this project is the direct civic engagement of women from marginalised communities in the Skopje planning region through their active involvement in community strengthening, in the work of the Network for Protection Against Discrimination, and in advocacy for policy changes according to their needs. The situational analysis is based on the long-standing experience of the Network for Protection Against Discrimination in providing support for protection against discrimination and direct and close cooperation with women from marginalised communities. The Commission for Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination and the Network for Prevention of Discrimination have a long-term continuous collaboration and will continue with this project, with a special focus on cases of discrimination against women from marginalised communities to increase trust among marginalised women in this independent body. By actively involving marginalised women in the fight against discrimination and increasing their trust in anti-discrimination bodies, the action aims to empower them to protect their rights and actively participate in society as well as in decision-making. This action will contribute to addressing systemic inequalities and promoting the rights and welfare of marginalised women from the Skopje planning region.

AIMS AND OUTCOMES

General aim:

To prevent and protect against gender discrimination through the legal empowerment of women from marginalised communities in the Skopje planning region, their active involvement in the fight against discrimination, increased trust in anti-discrimination bodies, and sensitisation against discrimination among key stakeholders and the public.

Specific aims:

To improve access to justice for the unequal treatment of women from marginalised communities through their legal empowerment and active involvement in the work of the Network for Protection Against Discrimination.
To increase trust in the Commission for Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination among women from marginalised communities through joint activities for recognising and protecting against discrimination.
To reduce stigma and prejudice against women from marginalised communities through a public campaign to sensitise decision-makers, service providers, and the general public.

OUTCOMES

Improved access to justice for the unequal treatment of women from marginalised communities through their legal empowerment and active involvement in the work of the Network for Protection Against Discrimination.
Increased trust in the Commission for Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination through joint activities for recognising and protecting against discrimination.
Reduced stigma and prejudice against women from marginalised communities through a public campaign to sensitise decision-makers, service providers, and the general public.
Increased involvement of trained paralegals in the work of the Network for Protection Against Discrimination.

ACTIVITIES

Providing free legal assistance.
Strategic advocacy for selected cases of discrimination against women from marginalised communities.
Providing paralegal assistance and support for women from marginalised communities.
Training new paralegals.
Organising educational meetings for non-discrimination among NGOs and women from marginalised communities.
Holding forums and/or open days for protection against discrimination in cooperation with the Commission for Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination.
Monitoring and informing about the actions of the Commission for Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination regarding women from marginalised communities.
Educational sessions to sensitise commissioners and staff at the Commission for Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination for working with marginalised women.
Regional public event – a platform for including marginalised women in society and strengthening collaboration.
Campaign to reduce stigma and prejudice and to prevent discrimination against women from marginalised communities.
Active participation of trained paralegals in networking meetings for advocacy and coordination.