"Break the silence! We are here for you." Hundreds of people learned how to protect themselves from gender-based violence

Hundreds of people, including refugees from Ukraine, participated in a series of events focused on preventing gender-based violence and raising public awareness of this issue, which took place in the cities of Edineț, Bălți, Comrat, and Cahul. Entire families attended creative workshops and enjoyed performances by local and national artists. Additionally, the events featured informational sessions with representatives from regional NGOs, doctors, psychologists, and legal professionals, who provided details on the services available in our country for survivors of gender-based violence.

Representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MLSP) and local authorities also participated in the events.

"Through the campaign 'Break the Silence! We are Here for You,' we aim to raise everyone's awareness and fight against gender-based violence. We want every person to become an activist and help prevent violence against women and girls. Together, we can change lives. Be vigilant and report any act of violence!" stated Ludmila Mititelu, Senior Consultant at the Gender Equality Policy Department of the MLSP.

Gender-based violence endangers the safety and health of millions worldwide, being one of the most widespread human rights violations globally. In the Republic of Moldova, 63% of women have experienced some form of violence from their husband or partner during their lifetime. At the same time, only 8.4% of abused women have reported the incidents to the police. To raise public awareness of the severity of this issue, the informational campaign "Break the Silence! We are Here for You" was launched, dedicated to survivors of gender-based violence, who are encouraged to call the women's and girls' trust line at 0 8008 8008 for free and confidential assistance.

The campaign is implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and UN Women, in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection

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