Between August 20 and October 4, 2024, more than a thousand community social workers in the country will participate in a series of training sessions dedicated to Case Management as an effective method of responding to domestic violence and violence against women. These trainings are organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in partnership with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), with financial support from Great Britain, and play an essential role in preventing and combating all forms of domestic violence and violence against women.

"In a healthy society there must be no place for violence in any form. Prevention and effective interventions in cases of violence can only happen by properly training our colleagues on the front line, who encounter such cases on a daily basis and must intervene promptly. I thank the partners for the support given in organizing trainings for community social workers, who are the most important people in identifying and stopping cases of violence", said Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labor and Social Protection.

UNFPA is with national partners to contribute to the improvement of the system of protection and response to violence against women, including through information, training of specialists, harmonization of the legal framework, development of support services and combating gender stereotypes.

“Social workers are essential in responding to violence against women. Deep understanding of the problems, solutions and intervention strategies is extremely important to make progress in preventing and combating violence against women. Through education and training, we can better strengthen our skills to recognize and combat these forms of violence in our communities", said Dr. Karina Nersesyan, UNFPA Resident Representative in Moldova.

During these trainings, guided by national experts on preventing and combating violence, community social workers will learn to have a better understanding of the phenomenon of family violence, the dynamics and forms it can take in the context of gender inequalities, and to know the framework normative and institutional in the field of domestic violence.

Professionals will also acquire the necessary skills to identify the causes, contributing factors and consequences of domestic violence, and develop skills centered on the needs of survivors and effective communication in the management of cases of violence. At the same time, community social workers will be able to more easily recognize the traumatic signs and symptoms of family violence and have the necessary knowledge to ensure a coordinated and proactive response.

"These workshops strengthen the capacity of community social workers to provide effective support, applying minimum necessary actions and a survivor-centered approach. Thus, we will be where we are most needed, ensuring dignified and safe care for women and girls", said Lidia Butrina, social worker at STAS Ocnița.

The initiative emphasizes the importance of inter-institutional collaboration and continuous training of community social workers in the country to ensure the necessary protection and support for survivors of domestic violence.

The United Nations Population Fund is supporting the government's RESTART reform, which aims to rethink how services reach the most vulnerable groups, including women and girls who experience violence, both in local and refugee communities.

We remind you that, previously, UNFPA transferred 10 vehicles to the new Territorial Social Assistance Agencies (ATAS) within the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. The initiative contributing to the achievement of a significant stage in the consolidation of services to combat gender-based violence in the Republic of Moldova, part of the measures provided by the "RESTART" reform.

Also, UNFPA supports the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in the implementation of the National Program for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women, Girls and Domestic Violence 2023-2027. This program reflects the commitments assumed by the Republic of Moldova by ratifying the Istanbul Convention in May 2022, which aims to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women, including refugees.