North Macedonia adopted its first National Action Plan (NAP) in 2013 for the period 2013-2015. The NAP does not specify the responsible actor for NAP development, but the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy appears to be an important actor in the NAP’s development. The NAP identifies three overarching objectives: strengthen the gender perspective in the formulation and implementation of the peace, security and defense policy of the Republic of Macedonia; strengthen the participation and contribution of women to international, civilian and military missions in which the Republic of Macedonia takes part; and prevent violence and protect women’s rights in the time of peace and humanitarian disasters. The NAP does not identify specific actions, indicators, or a monitoring and evaluation framework and does not have an allocated budget.
North Macedonia reported on the implementation of its NAP, as well as WPS commitments, in its national reporting for Beijing+25 and in preparation for CSW64 (2020). Specifically, the country indicated the preparation of a revised NAP. Additionally, since 2018, the Ministry of Defense has been implementing the Methodology for Gender Responsive Budgeting and a Gender Budget Statement.
North Macedonia (formerly Macedonia) gained independence from former Yugoslavia in 1991. During 1998-1999, the country became a host to more than 250,000 refugees fleeing the war in Kosovo. In 2001, Macedonia experienced conflict between state security forces and Albanian insurgents, which ended with the signing of the Ohrid Agreement. In 2012, the country experienced resurging tension between etnic Albanians and ethic Macedonians, resulting in civil unrest and casualties.
In 2019, North Macedonia was among the top 10 countries in the world with the biggest increase in their military expenditure, with a 30% increase in its military spending.
National Action Plan (2013-2015)
Global Gender Gap Index 2020
70 out of 153
Arms Trade Treaty Ratified
Military expenditure (2019)
$151 million USD
Explore North Macedonia's National Action Plan
There is no mention of civil society in involvement in the development process of North Macedonia's NAP. An Inter-ministerial Working Group organized numerous meetings and workshops in preparation of the draft NAP but it is not clear which agencies were involved in this Working Group.
WILPF does not have a country section in North Macedonia and therefore was not involved in North Macedonia's NAP development process.
An Inter-ministerial Working Group organized numerous meetings, throughout 2012 in preparation of the NAP draft. Though there is detailed chart in the Annex of the NAP outlining the objectives of each workshop, it is not clear which government agencies or ministries were involved with the Inter-ministerial Working Group.
The NAP states, "The Implementation of the NAP will also include key experts and representatives of the civil society." Specific activities however are not designated for civil society involvement in the NAP implementation.
North Macedonia's NAP states that the implementation and coordination of the NAP will be coordinated by the Inter-ministerial Working Group. It is not clear however which government agencies or ministries are involved. In addition to the Working Group, various government ministries are responsible for NAP implementation including the Ministry of Labor and Social Party, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defense.
NAP Monitoring and Evaluation
There is no mention of civil society involvement in the monitoring or evaluation of this NAP.
North Macedonia's NAP states that the implementation and coordination of the NAP will be monitored by the Inter-ministerial Working Group. It is not clear however which government agencies or ministries are involved in the Working Group.
The timeframe for Macedonia's NAP covers 2013-2015 however there is no set timeframe for implementation, monitoring or evaluation as there are no specific Actions and /or Activities listed in the NAP.
The three primary objectives of the NAP are stated below.
- Objective One: Strengthen the gender perspective in the formulation and implementation of the peace, security and defense policy of the Republic of Macedonia.
- Objective Two Strengthen the participation and contribution of women to international, civilian and military missions in which the Republic of Macedonia takes part.
- Objective Three Prevent violence and protect women's rights in the time of peace and humanitarian disasters.
Macedonia's NAP lacks an action matrix and fails to mention many concrete actions that are to be taken. As a result, there are no specific Actions or Activities listed.
There are no measurable indicators listed in this NAP. There is a list of "Expected Results" but each of these are vague and un-measurable.
For example, "Greater representation of women in security sector institutions and their participation in the decision-making process which will ensure a gender sensitive and more effective security policy on a national and international level."
The Inter-ministerial Working Group for Monitoring of the Implementation of the NAP for Resolution 1325 for WPS, comprised of relevant ministries and experts (though no specified) will monitor implementation. For reporting, the MLSP is to inform the Government who will then inform the Parliament and competent committees on the NAP implementation. There are no clear lines of responsibility as it is unclear who is involved in the Working Group. There is no mention of when this reporting will occur.
There is no specific allocated budget for Macedonia's NAP. The NAP states, "The activities in the NAP shall not have any financial implications and shall be implemented within the available budget of the institutions that are responsible for the implementation of the NAP in the period 2012-2015." Rarely does a NAP state that there will no financial implications.
There is no language on disarmament in the NAP.