In North Macedonia, Jana (name changed) and her partner experienced firsthand the harsh reality of societal prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community. The couple was peacefully walking hand in hand in the city center when several relatives observed them and, regrettably, reported back to the client’s family. The repercussions were swift and severe—the very next day, the family took the drastic step of expelling her from their home.
Left with no immediate place to turn, the client sought refuge with friends, showcasing resilience and support. Despite facing rejection and discrimination from her own family, friends embraced her for who she was.
To navigate the challenging circumstances, Jana also sought shelter in an LGBTQ+ shelter, underscoring the crucial role such safe spaces play in providing support and protection for individuals facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation.
This case sheds light on the pressing issues of discrimination and intolerance that LGBTQ+ individuals often encounter, even within their own families and communities. It underscores the importance of fostering inclusivity, understanding, and acceptance to create a society where everyone can live authentically without fear of rejection or persecution.
As part of the regional campaign “Push forward! To end violence against women and girls”, REAct organized a series of webinars on how to counteract gender-based violence and how to qualitatively help women who come forward. Recordings of webinars in English, Ukrainian, and Russian are available below. In 2023, we encourage new listeners to view the webinar recordings. From November 25, 2023 to January 31, 2024, each participant receives a unique opportunity to take a short test and receive a personalized online certificate.
Visit useful materials on the REAct website for more useful courses and publications. Operative data regarding human rights violations of vulnerable to HIV/AIDS communities are availableis available as well on country data factsheets. Read more successstories of response here.
