On June 9, 2023, the event to summarize the first edition of the regional program „European Union for Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence” took place in Moldova. The program was funded by the European Union and implemented by UNFPA and UN Women Moldova.
The program aimed to promote gender equality, combat stereotypes regarding the role of women and men in the family and society, increase the involvement of men in childcare and prevent gender-based violence. Some good practices of the program were taken over in other regions of the country, such as Ialoveni, Rezina, Drochia, Dondușeni.
At the final event, the participants of this program, representatives of central and local public authorities, civil society organizations, as well as the international community, gathered in an exchange of opinions and conclusions regarding the program's activities.
His Excellency, Jānis Mažeiks, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, spoke about the results of the program and emphasized the role of women and men in promoting gender equality: „The European Union will continue to support the promotion of gender equality and the fight against gender stereotypes. Experience shows us that those communities where women are actively involved in various activities are more prosperous and developed. We hope that the good practices accumulated in Fălești and Străseni districts will be replicated in other regions of the country”.
At the same time, the UN Women Moldova country representative, Dominika Stojanoska, expressed her gratitude for the efforts made during the 3 years of the program: „Today is a good opportunity to do some introspection, to analyze the results achieved and the lessons learned within the program. I want to thank you for your dedicated work to promote gender equality, to combat stereotypes and violence against women and girls. It was a joint effort and I wish us good luck in the next edition of the program”.
Nigina Abaszada, UNFPA resident representative in Moldova, also spoke about the importance of continuing this program: „These three years of hard work dedicated in promoting the equal involvement of men and women in the family, combating stereotypes and strengthening a society based on equal rights and choices have given results. We are glad that this progres will continue in the second edition of the Program, where we will offer new initiatives and opportunities, including for people with disabilities, young men and women - we must all be involved in promoting social norms based on human rights”.
The results of the program are illustrated by figures that reflect the involvement and positive impact of the activities carried out. Four civil society organizations implemented grant projects, covering a variety of activities on combating gender stereotypes and promoting the principles of gender equality.
More than 2,900 people from 12 localities (Ialoveni, Rezina, Fălești, Strășeni districts) participated in the social theater, which addresses the stereotypes regarding the roles of women and men in society, within the project „Young men and women for equality and non-discrimination” implemented by A.O. „Institutum Virtutes Civilis”. Through the same project, 9 local initiatives to promote gender equality and combat stereotypes were implemented by groups of young men and women from the two districts.
„Thank you for the activities carried out in Străseni and Fălești. I believe that these practices must be multiplied in other regions of the country, given the fact that they emphasized the role of men in promoting gender equality and preventing and combating violence against women. Such projects need to be supported and continued, because they help us to involve the population more, especially from the rural environment, and to inform them on the given dimension”, mentioned Lilia Pascal, head of the Directorate for ensuring gender equality policies within Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
Following the project „Accept disability, not violence!”, implemented by A.O. „Motivation”, 40 women with disabilities and mothers of children with disabilities from the two districts strengthened their knowledge about their rights and abilities, about aspects related to gender equality and gender-based violence, through a series of trainings, psychological guidances and support groups.
Another project, implemented by A.O. „The Institute for Family and Social Initiatives” has enabled young couples to access a gender-sensitive premarital and couple counseling platform and online course. In the context of the same project, 22 priests from Strășeni and Orhei districts increased their knowledge about family violence and the importance of premarital counseling as a preventive measure.
39 girls and 1 boy from Strășeni and Fălești benefited from a career guidance course in the field of ICT and STEM, through the project implemented by A.O. „ADTI EDUCAT” (TAKEDU).
„It is necessary to move to a new stage, in which we also involve education institutions, in order to share the information as widely and correctly as possible. Gender equality is about equal values and the rights of each person, and through correct information and concrete activities we can help society understand these aspects better. We have all the openness and we will continue to get involved”, affirmed Viorel Jardan, the president of the Strășeni district.
Fathers' Clubs were created for the first time in Moldova. This is a platform that teaches fathers and future fathers how to get more involved in the education and care of children. Thus, over 300 boys and men participated in the activities of the 19 Fathers' Clubs created in the program's districts, realizing the need for men's involvement in sharing household chores and childcare. The clubs were developed in collaboration with A.O. „Child Rights Information and Documentation Center from Moldova (CIDDC)”.
„We want our children to have a proper understanding of the role of the mother and the role of the father in the family, and this program has helped us work on that aspect. Both parents must be involved in the education of the children”, emphasized Sergiu Fîntînă, the president of Fălești district.
Last but not least, it is important to mention that over 87 members of the multidisciplinary teams from the Strășeni and Fălești districts have strengthened their knowledge and skills in working with aggressors, following the training sessions carried out in collaboration with A.O. „Artemida”.
At the regional level, the program „European Union for Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence” funded by the European Union, implemented by UN Women and UNFPA, was held in 6 countries of the Eastern Partnership: Armenia, Azerbaijan , Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
