Skopje, 5 May 2025 (UNICEF/MIA) – The Parliament of North Macedonia together with UNICEF today held a consultative debate on the situation of children and adolescents in North Macedonia. The debate was the first in a series that have been agreed with the Parliament to further advance child rights agenda.

“Equal access to education, greater attention to health policies and protection from violence and discrimination should be our priorities. As President of the Assembly, I will always stand by any initiative that contributes to this direction. Strengthening inter-institutional cooperation and increasing investments are essential to enable the inclusion of every child, regardless of the challenges they may have. This is our collective and human responsibility and duty,” said Afrim Gashi, President of the Assembly.

“I am confident that together we will continue to make progress in the realization of children’s rights – by adopting laws and budgets, ensuring oversight of their implementation and most importantly through our collective leadership and dedication. Investing in children’s rights must not be seen as a cost – but rather as an investment in the children of today and North Macedonia’s future of tomorrow,” said Lesley Miller, UNICEF Representative.

She highlighted that UNICEF’s work with the Parliament here and around the world has shown that the rights and well-being of children unite all members, regardless of their political party. “Parliamentarians can be important champions for children’s rights and have the unique opportunity to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous society for all.”

The discussion was guided by the Situation Analysis (SitAn) on the status of children and adolescents in North Macedonia conducted by UNICEF in 2024 to review the country’s progress towards realizing children’s rights and achieving Sustainable Development Goals, leaving no child behind. The report highlights that despite the good progress made in some areas of children’s rights, particularly in reducing infant and child mortality, the progress in other areas has stalled, or even reversed. High rates of child poverty, particularly for Roma children, poor learning outcomes, and widespread use of violent discipline at home are all critical remaining challenges, with persistent in-country disparities. At the same time, new issues have emerged, including air pollution and other environmental hazards, child and adolescent mental health and growing online bullying and hate speech.

The participants engaged in discussion on the progress the country has made in advancing children’s rights since ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993, and on the key areas where continuous efforts are needed, as highlighted in the Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child on North Macedonia. These Recommendations outline measures in the areas of coordination, non-discrimination, violence against children, children with disabilities, health and education services.

At the end of the consultative debate the participants agreed to arrange additional briefings with relevant Parliamentary Committees to discuss areas to further align the national legislation with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

Photo: Parliament