Dozens of influential men in the Republic of Moldova—decision-makers, artists, athletes, ambassadors, business leaders, lawyers, and opinion leaders—have taken a proactive stance against digital violence. They joined an online manifesto launched by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Moldova in partnership with the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV) as part of the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign.

Between November 25 and December 10, under the theme “United Against Digital Violence Towards Women and Girls”, men are posting black-and-white photos on social media to promote a positive public discourse in support of equality and mutual respect. These posts highlight solutions and measures needed to enhance the protection of girls and women in the digital space. Using the hashtag #bodyright, they call for the protection of human body images online and condemn all forms of misogyny and online harassment.

“In a time when digital violence is increasingly widespread, with women being the primary targets of online attacks, the involvement of men in combating such abuse is crucial. We highly value the participation of male leaders who have joined this movement, as only together can we create a safer space for girls and women, both online and offline,” stated Karina Nersesyan, UNFPA Representative in Moldova.

According to statistics, digital violence—including stalking, online harassment, sextortion, and the manipulation of images using artificial intelligence—is a real issue that demands everyone’s attention. UNFPA data shows that globally, 85% of women have experienced or witnessed digital violence, and 95% of deepfake videos on the internet are pornographic. Whether online or offline, every woman should be free to express herself without fear, make her own decisions, and not be judged for them.

The President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Grosu, launched the online manifesto against this phenomenon, stating:

"As a man, son, father, and colleague, I have chosen—and will continue to choose—to eradicate hate speech, misogynistic statements, and sexist jokes in our society, including on social media. Recently, in the era of digitalization, we are increasingly witnessing false information and videos pretending to be real, aimed solely at inciting hatred, harassing, or intimidating people. Unfortunately, behind many of these defamatory images are men. Dear men, a man's strength is not measured by the abuse hidden behind a screen but by respect, care, and involvement."

The European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Jānis Mažeiks, joined the initiative, stating:

"The impact of digital violence is devastating—it threatens the safety, freedom of expression, and well-being of women and girls, limiting their participation in public life. But together, we can change this. Men and boys, in particular, have a crucial role to play in combating violence. By saying NO to online abuse against women, we can create safer spaces for women and girls, both online and offline. The European Union stands with the people of the Republic of Moldova, especially women and girls, to make the digital world a safer place for everyone."

Viorica Țîmbalari, Director General of the National Agency for the Prevention and Combatting of Violence Against Women, added:

"The progress made this year in aligning the legal framework with European standards reflects our shared commitment to protecting our girls and women, wherever they may be—at home, on the street, online, or at work. With the amendments to Law No. 45/2007, we have taken an important step by introducing the concept of ‘psychological violence,’ which now includes forms of digital violence."

The Chief of Police of the Republic of Moldova, Viorel Cernăuțeanu, stated:

"The police continue to strengthen their efforts to combat digital violence, equipped with both legal resources and specialized personnel to protect victims and prevent such acts. We act promptly and decisively to create a safer space in the virtual environment."

The Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun, called on the educational community, students, and parents to protect the privacy of every individual, especially girls and women, who are most often the targets of virtual attacks. "At the Ministry of Education and Research, we promote educational policies to prevent all forms of violence and online bullying while actively combating stereotypes about girls and women," stated Dan Perciun.

Discover the messages of men, leaders of change, who have decided to support the #bodyright movement for the protection of women’s and men’s body images in the digital space: Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova; Falk Lange, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău; Viorel Cernăuțeanu, Chief of Police of the Republic of Moldova; Dan Perciun, Minister of Education and Research; Ceslav Panico, Ombudsman; Sergiu Toma, Director of the Institute for Family and Social Initiatives; Yamada Yoichiro, Ambassador of Japan to Moldova; Fred Duijn, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Moldova; Veaceslav Cunev, Member of the Moldovan ICT Companies Association; Emilian Crețu, actor/ influencer; Oleg Efrim, lawyer; Cătălin Lungu, actor/ influencer; Andrei Cibotaru, influencer; Dinu Țurcanu, Vice-Rector of the Technical University of Moldova; Gabriel Nebunu, musician; Alexandru Gozun, the President of American Chamber of Commerce and Director at PwC; Squadron Leader Matt Eager, Defence Attache at British Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, Guido Beltrani, Head of the Swiss Agency for Development in the Republic of Moldova; and Dan Olaru, athlete.

Since 2023, UNFPA has been leading the global #bodyright movement in Moldova, highlighting the need to protect the human body online. Launched in partnership with the Parliament, the Council of Europe, the UK Embassy, La Strada, the Women's Law Centre, and the Orange Foundation, the campaign also featured Ambassador Dara, a singer who has personally experienced online violence. Dara produced a special song titled “Virtual Lovelessness,” in support of girls and women affected by this issue.

The online manifesto will conclude with a public discussion during a televised talk show on the national public broadcaster. Women and men, including officials involved in the initiative, will address the issue, share perspectives, and inform the public about future actions. This collective effort aims to foster dialogue and drive meaningful change in the fight against gender-based violence in Moldova's digital spaces.