Public consultation of the National Program Project for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence for the years 2023-2027

The draft of the National Program for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence for the years 2023-2027 and the Action Plan for its implementation were consulted with the members of the Working Group on the initiation of the development of the National Program for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence for the years 2023-2027, established by the order of the Minister of Labor and Social Protection, which includes representatives of public authorities, civil society in the relevant field, and development partners: UN Women and UNFPA. The event took place on March 7, 2024, at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

The program is the second strategic document in the field and represents a continuation of the National Strategy for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence for the years 2018-2022. It aims to ensure the fulfillment of the commitments undertaken by the Government in implementing international treaties in this area.

The project is focused on the four pillars of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) – prevention, protection, prosecution, and integrated policies. Its goal is to combat all forms of violence against women and girls and domestic violence by establishing a sustainable partnership between key actors in the public, private, civil society, and media sectors.

Among the priority actions outlined in the Action Plan are: adjusting and completing the package of social services for victims of violence against women and girls and domestic violence, diversifying specialized services, developing services for family aggressors, aligning national legislation with the provisions of the Istanbul Convention, and strengthening the capacities of public authorities and specialists in services addressed to women affected by violence, among others.

On March 16-17, broader consultations will be held, involving a larger number of representatives from public authorities, civil society, and the private sector.

According to statistical data, in 2022, approximately 15,526 reports of violence against women and girls and domestic violence were registered; however, the number of women reporting acts of violence from their current partner to the police in the Republic of Moldova is very low, around 8.4%. More than half (55%) of women in the Republic of Moldova consider domestic violence a private matter that should be resolved within the family, and three out of four women (76%) believe that violence against women is a common occurrence.

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection

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