Chisinau, 21 June 2017 – Representatives of the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Moldova were trained in the area of family planning and sexual and reproductive rights. The trainings were organised by the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family and the Ministry of Health, jointly with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, the Embassy of Sweden and the Office of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Chisinau as part of Moldova participation in the #SheDecides global initiative.

The high-level workshops were conducted by international experts from Austria and the Netherlands, with funding provided by Sweden. They were focused on policy responses for ensuring the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and adolescent girls in the context of in the demographic challenges faced by Moldova such as low fertility, declining of population, low life expectancy and migration.

The Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family Stela Grigoras underlined the importance of the #SheDecides initiative for Moldova “We all need to understand the impact that sexual and reproductive health and rights, including family planning, have on our society. In the framework of these workshops, we will discuss and analyse what actions and policies are needed to ensure that women have access to sexual and reproductive health services and that their rights are respected”.

In her opening remarks, Ruxanda Glavan, Minister of Health, stressed that “The Republic of Moldova has been paying a lot of attention to family planning and reproductive rights since 1998. At that time, with the support of UNFPA, an important reform of the perinatal service has started. The implemented measures have contributed to the improvement of the quality of medical services provided during pregnancy and the postnatal care.”

The event took place in the framework of the first official visit of the UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and central Asia Alanna Armitage to Moldova. She appreciated the engagement, which Moldova was showing for the fulfilment of the rights of women, especially with regard to sexual and reproductive health.

„UNFPA will continue to support Moldova’s efforts in investing in sexual and reproductive rights of women and adolescent girls as the foundation for gender equality, women’s empowerment and economic development for both men and women, but also country’s economic development and demographic security”, underlined Alanna Armitage addressing the high level officials.

“This event brings a great momentum for a joint reflection on policy solutions, based on evidences and experiences of other countries, which would make the life of both women and men, adolescent girls and boys in Moldova better”, added UNFPA Representative in Moldova Rita Columbia.

The Ambassador of Sweden to Moldova Signe Burgstaller said that Sweden stands fully behind the #SheDecides global campaign, which is a strong statement in support of women’s human rights, in particular every woman’s and girl’s self-evident right to decide over her own body and her own life. The access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is directly connected to other issues, such as poverty reduction, sustainable economic development and gender equality. “To support sexual and reproductive health and rights is thus to support a better life for all women and men, girls and boys in the Republic of Moldova”, underlined Signe Burgstaller.

„Investing in gender equality will make Moldova stronger and more prosperous. The Netherlands looks forward to working with the Government and people of Moldova to enable all boys and girls, men and women to fulfil their potential and fully enjoy their rights”, underlined Roy Hans Chargé d'affaires, Head of the Dutch Embassy Office in Moldova.

The #SheDecides workshops on family planning provided an opportunity for policy-makers to learn about the experience of other countries that adopted pro-natalist policies and to reflect on means for strengthening family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights policies, as a foundation for gender equality, women’s empowerment and economic development for both men and women in the Republic of Moldova.

The #SheDecides Global Initiative, which was instituted in March 2017 and includes 45 countries, among which the Republic of Moldova, focuses on sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially on family planning. Moldova, as part of this movement, has committed to provide support for all women and girls to be able to realize their rights, including the right to make informed decisions about their lives and health.