Violence against women is a serious human rights violation and a widespread global issue. Furthermore, violence against women is increasingly recognized as a barrier to development due to its profound economic, social, and political costs to society. Violence against women and girls is a widespread manifestation of discriminatory gender norms and unequal power relations.
In addition to its harmful effects on women’s physical safety, self-esteem, and social status, violence is often associated with the loss of income for women and their children, as they are frequently economically dependent on the abuser.
Poverty and economic insecurity are intrinsically linked to gender inequality. "Systematic discrimination against women and girls is the most widespread cause and consequence of inequality in power relations that drive poverty."
Economic poverty and gender inequality are interconnected. Policies aimed at preventing and combating violence against women also focus on the economic empowerment of victims and ensuring their rights to economic participation and security, which are key to living a life free from violence.
Women’s economic dependence on men prevents many victims of domestic violence from breaking the cycle of violence, keeping them in abusive relationships for many years, and often forcing them to tolerate a certain level of violence in exchange for the economic support provided by the abuser.
Therefore, the economic empowerment of women can potentially contribute to reducing intimate partner violence by improving their economic situation: an economically independent woman is more financially capable of leaving an abusive relationship, ensuring a peaceful and safe life for herself and her children.
The elements and indicators of women’s economic empowerment (WEE) are understood to be multiple and interconnected: personal economic security, control over assets and income, autonomy in managing expenses, shared contribution to household expenses, and a more equitable balance of market-oriented opportunities for women and men.
Thus, measures to promote employment for unemployed victims of domestic violence, as well as specialized social services, must focus on providing additional support in integrating them into the labor market, contributing to enhancing their self-confidence, decision-making capacities, and financial resource management.
In this context, it is necessary to promote the economic empowerment and socio-economic independence of women.
In the field of employment promotion and unemployment insurance, it has become necessary to adopt an employment policy aimed at reducing vulnerability and a social assistance policy focused on strengthening beneficiaries’ capacities for social and professional engagement.
In this context, major importance has been given not only to ensuring access to social benefits and services but also to increasing employment opportunities for job seekers, adapting the workforce to labor market demands. The importance of focusing on disadvantaged population groups is also highlighted from the perspective of addressing their specific needs, based on the issues related to gender.
For instance, among the victims of human trafficking (HT) and domestic violence (DV), there is a significant representation of females, and the efforts made by the state to support their employment are an element of their economic empowerment and harness the human potential of the entire society.
Through Law No. 105 of June 14, 2018, on Employment Promotion and Unemployment Insurance, a series of active measures were approved with the aim of supporting victims of domestic violence in their economic empowerment.
Thus, according to Article 23, victims of domestic violence can benefit from the following employment promotion measures, which directly contribute to their economic empowerment:
- Information on the labor market, by contacting ANOFM directly or calling the Call Center at 080001000;
- Career guidance;
- Job placement;
- Assisted employment for persons with disabilities;
- Vocational training through retraining courses;
- Professional internships;
- On-the-job training;
- Subsidized employment;
- Support for starting an entrepreneurial activity.
Access procedures to these services are approved by Government Decision No. 1276/2018, https://www.legis.md/cautare/getResults?doc_id=122928&lang=ro
To benefit from these services, a person must contact one of the territorial subdivisions for employment, either in person or online, requesting unemployment status. Online application submission will soon be available, following the Government's approval of the SI "Unemployment Registration" Concept.
When requesting unemployment status, the documents listed in Annex 1 of Government Decision No. 1276/2018 must be presented, in accordance with Article 7. The unemployment registration application must be accompanied by the following documents, presented in original and copies:
- Identity card or residence permit, as applicable, valid at the time of submission, except for applications submitted online;
- Educational and qualification certificates, except in cases where they are registered in the Personalization System of Educational Documents (SIPAS).
Female entrepreneurship has been globally recognized as an underutilized potential for economic growth. The gender gap in entrepreneurship is no longer a hypothesis but a verified certainty through relevant studies. Statistical data shows that women in the Republic of Moldova lead 27% of the businesses in the country, with the majority – 85% – located in urban areas, and 60% of these are in the capital.
Supporting female entrepreneurship contributes to the economic well-being of both the country and each individual family. Following studies, the Government of Moldova launched the pilot program "Women in Business" (PFA), managed by the Organization for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (ODIMM), aimed at integrating women into the country's economic framework.
Thus, women with business ideas or those looking to develop newly established businesses have real opportunities to successfully implement their plans. The objective of the PFA is to promote entrepreneurial spirit among women, particularly in rural areas, to develop and grow their businesses, increase access to financial resources, services, and modern technologies.
Within the Economic Council created under the Prime Minister, thematic permanent and temporary working groups have been established, one of which is the group on "Women's Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality." To support and facilitate women’s involvement in the economic life of society, the Government has launched the National Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality Roadmap, which includes actions to encourage female entrepreneurship.
Access the link to open the National Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality Council Roadmap.
