The first 50 young men and women, members of the EduLIFE Educators Network in Vocational Technical Education, participated in a training workshop dedicated to gender-based violence in the online environment. The event took place on January 25-26 of this year and was organized with the aim of educating and raising awareness among young people about the impact of these forms of violence and the ways to prevent and combat them.

During several sessions, the participants had the opportunity to discuss forms of gender-based violence, their impact on victims, and how gender stereotypes contribute to the perpetuation of these abuses. They also addressed the phenomenon of digital violence, which includes harassment and abuse on online platforms, a particularly relevant topic in the current context of technology and social networks.

"Educating young people in the prevention of gender-based violence, both online and offline, is the key to a more informed and empowered generation. We are happy to support the EduLIFE Educators Network and to inform young people about the risks in the digital space and safe behaviors. In this way, young people will share this knowledge with their peers, contributing to the creation of safer and more inclusive communities," said Natalia Plugaru, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Moldova.

"It is essential for young people to understand both the forms of violence they may encounter and how they can intervene to prevent such abuse in their communities. Interactive workshops, which encourage discussion and idea exchange, are a valuable tool in education for equality and respect," said Elena Botezatu, Executive Director of the International Center "La Strada, at the opening of the event.

At the same time, Elena Botezatu shared her experience working in the youth network and appreciated their involvement and interest in promoting equality and a life free from violence.

During the workshop, participants were encouraged to express their opinions, ask questions, and propose solutions to combat gender-based violence and digital violence in their daily environment. The interactive approach helped young people better understand the implications of these phenomena and take an active role in changing mindsets and promoting responsible behavior both online and offline.

This activity is part of a series of educational activities carried out by peer educators, aimed at promoting healthy habits, combating stereotypes, preventing all forms of violence among young people, and more.

The EduLIFE Educators Network in vocational technical education is a community of young people who organize non-formal educational activities focused on developing healthy life skills and competencies necessary for better employment, using techniques such as social theater, debates, board games, etc. The network was created in 2020 by UNFPA with the support of the Ministry of Education and Research and is supported through the "Connecting Youth with the Labor Market through Life Skills Development" program, funded by the Austrian Development Agency from the Austrian Development Cooperation program.

The event took place on January 25-26, 2025, and was organized by the International Center "La Strada" within the joint UNFPA and UNICEF program "Breaking the Circle of Violence Against Women and Children," implemented with financial support from the United Kingdom.