The purpose of the event was to provide a dialogue platform for representatives of public authorities and non-profit organizations, where they could present recommendations and comments on the analytical note provided and discuss the necessary steps for the complete transposition of the Directive, which will ensure gender equality in the economic field and prevent gender-based discrimination in access to goods and services.
Participants in the discussions included deputies, representatives of the Council for Equality, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, the Ministry of Justice, the State Chancellery, and others.
Felicia Bechtoldt, State Secretary, stated: "I draw your attention to the importance of this Directive, which stems from the following aspects: there should be no direct or indirect discrimination between men and women regarding prices, sales conditions, access to products or services, including in areas such as insurance, financial, real estate, or health services. Men and women must benefit from the same conditions and prices regarding the products and services offered in the market. It is necessary to encourage changes in mindset and behavior so that men and women have equal rights and opportunities in accessing goods and services."
Liliana Palihovici, President of "Institutum Virtutes Civilis," remarked: "With the acquisition of candidate country status, the Republic of Moldova has also assumed the obligation to harmonize national legislation with that of the European Union. Through this analytical note, we provide recommendations that will facilitate the alignment process with European standards, such as assessing the operational, logistical, human, and financial resource capacities of the Council for Equality and training employees in the legal system and other relevant institutions."
Ana Mihailov, Country Director of the "Friedrich Ebert" Foundation (FFE) Moldova, stated: "This partnership between public authorities and civil society strengthens the efforts of governing bodies to align national legislation with European legislation and contributes to accelerating the European integration process of the Republic of Moldova. Additionally, this dialogue strengthens the relationships between state institutions and associations representing citizens' interests."
The analytical note was produced as part of the "Partnerships for Women's Leadership and Good Governance" project, implemented by the "Friedrich Ebert" Foundation (FFE) Moldova and "Institutum Virtutes Civilis," with financial support from the European Union and FES Moldova, at the request of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection
