16 days of activism against gender-based violence 2025: together, we can change the story!

Vesna is a mother of three, a survivor of human trafficking and sexual violence. In a moment of courage — and with support from a friend, the police, and a non-governmental organisation — she managed to escape from captivity abroad and return home. Despite the deep trauma, today she is building a new life – a new family, a job, and a commitment to helping other women. 

Vesna is one of the eight heroines in this year’s campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”, organised by the EU, UN, and OSCE offices in North Macedonia. Their stories show that victims of violence can break the silence and reclaim their lives. And the video messages from representatives of the EU Delegation, the European Investment Bank and athletes make clear that violence against women is not only a grave human rights violation, but also a threat to democracy, and that standing up against violence is a task for the entire society. 

As EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas stated at the launch of the campaign, “violence is preventable, and it is our shared responsibility to stop it!”. “I call on institutions to fully implement laws and allocate resources effectively. I call on communities to speak out, support survivors, and challenge harmful norms. And I call on every citizen to be an ally in building a society where women and girls can live safely, freely, and equally”.