The campaign “I Do NOT Consent to Forced Marriage” aims to raise public awareness of forced marriages as a serious violation of human rights and a form of gender-based violence and human trafficking. The campaign targets young people, parents, professionals, and the wider public, with the goal of informing them about the risks and consequences of forced marriage, encouraging reporting and timely intervention, and amplifying the voices and lived experiences of survivors.
Forced marriage is not a choice!
Deeply rooted power dynamics, control, and inequality make the exploitation of women and girls—particularly through forced marriages—a persistent and harmful practice in our country. We strive to challenge and change harmful norms and to contribute to sustainable, systemic changes that ensure protection, support, and an authentic voice for survivors.
Through workshops, discussions, promotional materials, and regional activities, the campaign encourages communities to:
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recognize warning signs,
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provide support and referrals for potential victims,
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promote the right to free choice and the protection of children.
The campaign is part of the broader work of Open Gate / La Strada Macedonia in the field of prevention of human trafficking and protection of vulnerable groups and is implemented in partnership with La Strada International. It is carried out as part of the project “Improving prevention and care for victims of forced marriages,” with the support of the Ministry for European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of France, through the FEF-R instrument.
Within the project, an Analysis of Forced Marriages was developed based on testimonies of people with lived experience and consultations with national stakeholders. On this basis, Policy brief were developed to improve the identification, protection, and support of victims. Regional cooperation was strengthened through the Regional conference on the prevention of forced marriage, held in Skopje from 10 to 12 September 2025, where participants, including representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, survivor advocates, international organizations, academia, and donor partners from the Western Balkans and Europe, adopted Joint Conclusion and a Call for Action to prevent and combat forced and child marriage in all its forms.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day – 8 March 2025, read our La Strada International Statement, in which we highlight the urgent need for a coordinated, human-rights-based response.
Explore the visuals and videos from the campaign “I Do NOT Consent to Forced Marriage” as well as the gallery from the Regional Conference on the Prevention of Forced Marriages.
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