Valeria is a teenager. She is 14 years old and lives with her mother. She has never known the care and love of a father and what a true family should look like without worrying about tomorrow. Her mother hasn't discussed much with her about intimate life, puberty stages, or the emotional states adolescents go through. Recently, Valeria, along with a few friends and classmates, attended a reproductive health training organized by The Moldova Project in partnership with UNFPA, financially supported by the Government of Norway.
"I learned a lot about my body, about what is healthy and harmful to me. I want to learn more, have a profession to lead an independent life. I won't spend time with the wrong people or those I don't trust," said Valeria.
Valeria is a ninth-grade student living with three siblings in a challenging family situation. Her older sister is seriously ill, and a significant portion of the money her mother earns goes towards medication. Valeria has been taking care of her sister and younger siblings since she was little, and they are nine and one year old, respectively.
At school, Valeria mentions that although some lessons discuss many interesting and useful things for teenagers, there are still taboo topics not addressed. She has many questions, including how to create a healthy family relationship in the future, given that she hasn't had such a model in her own family, and she sees many women in her village who are single or fleeing from their husbands out of fear of abuse.
During the reproductive health training for young people she attended, Valeria found answers to these and other questions. Moreover, she had various ideas about how to live better, with whom she could build a family, and how she envisions her future husband.
"I haven't had serious relationships so far and don't have a boyfriend. If I have one, I think he will be a boy from the village, so we understand each other better. Respect and care for each other are very important to me. I will never allow myself to be hit. I will say 'NO' without fear," emphasizes Valeria.
Online safety was another topic that piqued the participants' interest. Being active on various social media platforms, Valeria admitted that she was unaware of the risks she faced and had accepted a dubious invitation from a stranger. "I don't make such mistakes anymore. I am very careful and check every person I talk to. I know people in the village very well. Even so, I pay attention to what and how I write and what files I send," says the young girl.
The interactive activities during the training provided dozens of students the opportunity to openly discuss "uncomfortable" or "indiscreet" topics, crucial for their physical and emotional well-being. For example, during discussions on reproductive health, adolescents learned about harassment and sexual abuse, gained more details about their bodies, acquired knowledge about protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections, and grasped the importance of using condoms.
Valeria aspires to become a chef and work in one of the restaurants in the capital. To achieve her dream, she plans to attend a vocational school in the district center or Chisinau after completing secondary school.
She is aware of the need for a profession and financial independence, and now, thanks to the knowledge, experience, and relationships she gained through the training series organized by The Moldova Project with UNFPA support, the girl is more confident that she will succeed.
