Protection from discrimination in practice: the gap between the legal framework and effective access to justice

Protection against discrimination is one of the key prerequisites for ensuring the equal enjoyment of human rights and freedoms. Despite the existence of a relatively developed legal and institutional framework in the Republic of North Macedonia, women from marginalized communities continue to face numerous barriers in accessing mechanisms
for protection against discrimination and justice in general.

The findings indicate that the formal existence of rights and institutional mechanisms is not sufficient in provision of effective protection. Women from marginalized communities, including women from rural areas, women belonging to the LGBTI community, women who use drugs, sex workers, convicts and homeless women from the Skopje Planning Region, face multiple and intersectional discrimination, economic dependence, distrust in institutions, fear of consequences and insufficient recognition of specific forms of gender-based discrimination.

This policy document has been developed within the framework of the project “Equality Now – Empowering marginalized communities for social inclusion and nondiscrimination” supported by the Government of Switzerland through Civica Mobilitas and implemented by the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, HOPS – Healthy Life Options and the Coalition Margins, which aims to contribute to improving access to justice and strengthening mechanisms for protection against discrimination for the most vulnerable groups in society.