It is shocking that in 2025, 4745 reports of domestic violence and six cases of murder were registered, while in the first two months of 2026 alone, there have already been four cases of femicide.
These alarming figures are a reflection of a society in which the most fundamental human right – the right to life – is at risk. I am not citing statistics, but rather highlighting the failure of institutional prevention and timely action. Behind these numbers are hidden life stories, family tragedies and unfulfilled dreams. This was emphasized by President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova at the plenary session in Parliament “Women’s Rights and Opportunities – Achievements and Perspectives”, which is held annually on the occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8.
"It is frightening that every March 8th we count new victims, present the latest statistics, debate policies and adopt strategies, pointing out the same problems, presenting brutal statistics and proposing measures and activities that have been proposed before, but have not been undertaken. Even this March 8th, immediately after the incomprehensible death of Ivana and Katja, I find it difficult to experience it as Women's Day! The symbolism of the holiday has been lost in the darkness of a harsh, incomprehensible and unacceptable reality," said the president.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mickoski, when asked about the lack of response of institutions to domestic violence, based especially on the recent tragic case where a mother and her child lost their lives and who are suspected of having been the object of physical violence for a long time, said that citizens who report violence should refrain from reporting it. "Those who are victims of domestic violence should report it and report it and not withdraw it. Because, believe me, if the lawsuit is dropped, then the institutions, the social centers, cannot do anything. Therefore, it is important that those who are victims of violence report it and not withdraw it," emphasized Prime Minister Mickoski.
Meanwhile, SDSM insists on the resignation of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Pance Toshkovski. According to them, the tragedy in Karposh has highlighted major shortcomings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs led by Toshkovski. SDSM emphasizes that there were a total of 12 reports against the perpetrator, who also had other charges and criminal reports, while in the last case drugs were also found on him.
"The Ministry of Internal Affairs was alerted, there were reports, there was knowledge and indications of a serious risk. But with an inadequate and delayed reaction, they did not protect the victims. Meanwhile, with the changes to the Criminal Code, violence against women and domestic violence are prosecuted ex officio, even when the report is withdrawn. Not only when there are physical injuries, but also when the violence violates the health and safety of the victim. So, the police were forced to act," emphasize the SDSM. The party further states that just a few months ago in Veles, a young woman was killed together with her father, even though she had previously reported violence. "Even then, the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not react in time. The MUP also failed in the case of the serial killer in Staro Nagoricani," emphasize the SDSM. This speaks of serious failures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is headed by Pance Toshkovski. The problem starts at the top. While others remain silent, SDSM will not remain silent.
Prime Minister Mickoski described the opposition's demands for Toshkovski's resignation as low and insignificant, and as he said, not worth commenting on.
"They demand resignation every day, from everyone. Regardless of what their arguments are, the institutions are acting, while Minister Toshkovski made a clear retrospective of what happened and how it happened. So I would not like to comment on our clueless opposition," emphasized Mickoski, who did not stop there, but attacked SDSM, saying that it is a party that works against the interests of the Macedonian nation. "SDSM is the biggest danger to the Macedonian identity and the Macedonian state and I ask citizens to accept with reservation all those false statements and communiqués that come out of Bihaçka, because they have a single goal to destroy the Macedonian fabric and attack the Macedonian identity," emphasized Mickoski. Meanwhile, the leader of the PLD, Monika Zajkova, also demanded responsibility from state institutions in Parliament for inaction against violence.
"Parliament has no right to remain silent and hide behind procedures. Parliament has a responsibility. You rejected the Law on Electronic Tracking of Perpetrators of Violence, without serious debate and without arguments. Since then, we have only been counting victims. What about today? Today, mouths are full of support for women. Where was that support when a concrete mechanism for protection was supposed to be provided? Where is the parliamentary oversight of institutions that have remained silent? Where is the responsibility? Why did the institutions leave the victims alone? These are not isolated cases," stressed Zajkova, who added that it is an obligation to show that the system can protect, not silence.
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