Moldova: Fighting gender-based violence in the Republic of Moldova
Transformation through prevention: a response to gender-based violence
Together with its partners the Norwegian Church Aid together aims to bring relief and concrete solutions to women and families affected by gender-based violence. Both Ukrainian women and girls, as well as vulnerable members of local communities can benefit from the support. The support may include counselling and support for victims and survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking as well as awareness-raising and capacity-building, including training of social workers on case referrals to ensure the assertion of the legal rights of survivors. An important aspect is also to fight stereotypes and prejudice, through distribution of informative materials and campaigns.
By promoting rights and upholding human dignity, the project demonstrated the power of community engagement and the importance of humanitarian interventions in addressing complex social issues.
A new non-formal education program on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
International and national studies show that comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education influences the development of children and adolescents positively. Knowledge and skills help to assess and avoid risky behaviours, which otherwise could have led to school drop-out or absenteeism.
The Programme on Out-of-School Reproductive Health Education for adolescents and young people, is part of a global United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) program in 12 countries, including the Republic of Moldova. The program includes several critical interventions aimed at responding to high rates of risky behaviours among adolescents and young people, such as substance use, sexually transmitted infections, violence, unplanned pregnancies, and teenage abortions, as well as continuing Moldova’s progress toward ensuring reproductive health and rights.
“We want to empower young people to be able to make informed decisions in their favour, and through this program, we will reach different categories of young people with information and support regarding their reproductive health”, said Sîrbu, UNFPA.
The program focuses on supporting civil society organizations to enhance their capacity in sexual and reproductive health and rights and to conduct information and outreach activities in this area. At the same time, vulnerable young persons living in rural areas, with refugee status or with a disability, will be supported in developing healthy life skills and in making informed choices about their reproductive health.
Interagency Training: Promoting Protection and Accountability
In 2023, a joint training project designed to increase the national police's capacity on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) was led by IOM, UNHCR, and Interpol. The project aimed to boost the knowledge of law enforcement officials on combating sexual exploitation and abuse.
"Sexual exploitation is a very negative phenomenon and is an area that requires a different and special approach" says Țentiu, Head of International Police Cooperation Directorate and Head of the Interpol National Bureau
IOM Moldova also implemented additional training sessions delving deeper into the topic of prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment and ensured a comprehensive approach to safeguarding vulnerable populations. Collaboration with entities such as the General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Chisinau City Prosecutor's Office, and the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine, helps vulnerable populations and survivors find sanctuary amidst adversity.