"The territorial agencies, established to implement state policy in the field of social assistance, will provide methodological support to local public administration authorities and social service providers. Their mandate includes the crucial role of preventing and responding to gender-based violence," stated Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labor and Social Protection. "Enhancing social protection for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence is a priority for me as a minister. I thank all partners who support us in improving the services provided to the population."
"UNFPA is proud to support the Government's RESTART reform, aimed at rethinking how services reach the most vulnerable groups, including women and girls suffering from violence, both in local communities and in refugee settings," said Nigina Abaszada, UNFPA Resident Representative in Moldova. "We welcome the inclusion of specialists dedicated to gender-based violence within the teams of the territorial agencies. This means these specialists will be where they are most needed, ensuring that women and girls receive the dignified and safe care they deserve."
The establishment of the ten territorial social assistance agencies under the coordination of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection will bring prevention and response services for violence closer to women and girls. The agencies are organized at the regional level, strategically covering all districts of the country, including central, central-east, central-west, north, northeast, north-northwest, northwest, south, southeast, and southwest. Each agency will be responsible for 3-4 second-level administrative-territorial units. In particular, the north-northwest ATAS will focus exclusively on the municipality of Bălți.
"I congratulate everyone for their consistency and strong commitment demonstrated over time in the fight against violence towards women and girls. This struggle is truly not an easy one. I am very pleased that we have not only stopped at developing the National Program for Preventing Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, for which we collaborated very productively with our colleagues at UNFPA – our utmost appreciation for the continuous support you provide us. These vehicles will help us be closer and reach more quickly the women who need help. Our message remains clear and unwavering: no excuses for violence against women and girls, neither at home, at work, in public, nor online. In the past two years, we have made progress in this area, including the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, which now allows us to move forward and register serious progress in this field. We will continue to do everything possible and will continue to rely on the support of our partners. Stay with us, and together we will succeed in winning this fight. I have full confidence," said Doina Gherman, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and European Integration.
"We gather just a week after the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence; it is fresh in our minds how important it is to have quality services for combating gender-based violence and external communication as part of social protection systems. UNFPA has extensive experience in this field, and the United Kingdom is proud to support the prevention and combating of incidents of gender-based violence and domestic violence, in accordance with Moldova's commitments to the Istanbul Convention. Today, we can celebrate one of the many ways Moldova is implementing this commitment. We know this will make a tangible difference for both social workers and the communities they work with throughout Moldova," said Edward Inglett, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in the Republic of Moldova.
It is noteworthy that UNFPA has supported the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in developing the National Program for the Prevention and Combat of Violence Against Women and Girls and Domestic Violence 2023-2027. This program aligns with Moldova's commitments to the Istanbul Convention, ratified in May 2022, focusing on preventing and combating all forms of violence against women, including refugees. The approved program, in effect since May 31, 2023, presents the objectives and actions for comprehensively addressing violence in Moldova.
Statistical data shows that most women who are victims of domestic violence are young, aged between 24 and 45 years. According to information provided by the National Single Emergency Call Service 112, Moldova ranks among the top European countries with the highest cases of women experiencing psychological or sexual abuse at least once in their lifetime. Nearly 3 out of 4 women (73%) have experienced some form of domestic violence in their lives, and approximately 30 women die each year as a result of such abuse.
Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection
