The Republic of Moldova has taken a bold step to protect women and girls from digital violence and, for the first time, criminalizes several forms of such abuse, including stalking.For 22 years, Marina* suffered physical and emotional abuse by her husband, until she reached a breaking point. The mother of two left the marital home with her children and filed for divorce this fall. Even though she separated in 2021, the violence didn't stop – it simply moved online.She was surveilled, stalked, and filmed without consent by a person engaged by her husband. She also started receiving death threats. No place felt safe. He created fake social media accounts in her name, pretending that she provided sexual services. Under current laws, threats received online are treated as misdemeanors and perpetrators can get away with paying a fine.But change is coming, and Marina looks hopefully to the future. Starting 14 February 2026, new legal amendments will enter into force, offering stronger protection for women and girls suffering digital abuse. Stalking will become a criminal offense, punishable by up to two years in prison, or three if the perpetrator is a family member. The amendments cover stalking and harassment using tech tools, repeated attempts to contact a person by any means, or monitoring one's house or workplace in person or through online technologies.Why Moldova's new digital violence law matters

In Moldova, more than half of women (65 per cent) aged 18 and older who are active online have experienced some form of digital violence in their lifetime. Until now, the law did not fully recognize these acts as crimes. The new amendments define digital violence as any act of harm committed through information technologies or electronic communications.The legislative changes also define "abusive content data" as discriminatory, sexist, threatening, obscene, or defamatory digital materials, providing a clear legal basis for prosecution.These changes are the result of joint efforts by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), UN Women, UNFPA, the Council of Europe Office, and civil society organizations.“For us, ensuring safety in the digital space means expanding the concept of safety into every sphere of life”, said Viorica Țîmbalari, Director of the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. “Digital violence is a challenge of our time, but also an opportunity to show that justice, empathy, and respect can evolve along with technology.”In 2026, the Agency plans to train police officers, criminal investigators, prosecutors, and judges to handle cases of digital violence, so that they can fully enforce the new law.Free legal aid supports survivors like Marina

Along with supporting the legal amendments, UN Women is making sure that survivors of digital violence can access the legal aid they need. Through a UN Women project funded by the Government of Denmark, Dacia Centre in Soroca provides free legal counseling and representation in court for Marina and other survivors like her.“This support was a lifeline”, says Marina. “I was at the end of my strength. I couldn’t believe that someone would help me for free.”Her lawyer, Tatiana Vicol-Felișcan, notes that psychological and digital violence are growing threats: “Psychological violence is the most widespread and, at the same time, the least recognized form of abuse. Increasingly, it goes hand in hand with intimidation or blackmail online.”Recent legislative changes bring Vicol-Felișcan hope, but she stresses the need for regular training for police, prosecutors, and judges, as well as expanding the use of video hearings to help women survivors access justice without additional trauma. "They must feel heard and protected, not judged", she says.Marina's life remains a struggle. Just a month ago, her husband attacked her again – leaving her with serious head injuries that forced her to stop working entirely. Without the free legal aid, continuing the divorce proceedings would have been impossible.Stronger penalties for sexual harassment

The amendments also introduce tougher penalties for sexual harassment, including online. Offenders face fines up to USD 3,000, 120 to 240 hours of unpaid community work, or up to four years in prison – double the previous maximum. If the victim is a minor, the sentence increases to seven years."These amendments reflect Moldova’s strong commitment to protecting the dignity, freedom, and safety of women and girls, including in the digital space", says Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova Country Representative. "Now these provisions must be implemented and those in charge must be trained to apply the new legal framework effectively."

Laws change mindsets, not just penaltiesLaws are not just about punishing perpetrators – they are also a powerful tool for changing mindsets. Marina hopes that the new law will encourage more women and girls to report abuse and seek help: "I wish more women knew that digital violence is also violence and that they can get help for free. Thanks to the counseling I received, I understood that it's not me who should feel ashamed - it's the aggressor. I hope that more women and girls will come to understand that."

* The name was changed to protect the identity of the woman experiencing violence.

A survey conducted with 12,000 women across the region reveals that more than half have experienced some form of digital violence. This clearly highlights that it is a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents.In the Republic of Moldova, the situation is equally concerning. Recent data shows that:30% of affected women have been exposed to repeated digital violence, demonstrating the persistent nature of online abuse.41% of respondents in a national study identified sexual harassment as the most common form of online violence.These figures reveal a harsh truth: the digital space, a space that should enable expression, learning and connection often becomes hostile for women and girls.In this context, more young women are choosing to speak openly about the abuse they experience or witness. One of them is Anastasia Slacfenco, content creator, host of the online show “La Covor”, feminist and animal-rights advocate. Anastasia is known for her unapologetically authentic online presence. For years, she has used digital platforms to discuss sensitive issues such as discrimination, violence, gender stereotypes, and digital harassment, with transparency and courage.For Anastasia, online violence is not a concept. It’s a lived experience.“I witness digital violence every day. People no longer challenge ideas constructively; they attack and insult others for how they look, how they think, or simply for being different. We all see the world through our own lenses, and we won’t always agree. But when someone spreads harmful ideas, we need to counter them with arguments, not personal attacks. I have been and continue to be a target of online violence. Sometimes the abuse doesn’t stop at public comments. It escalates into private messages full of hatred, sent by anonymous users, without any understanding of what motivates them to act in this way.”Online spaces are not always safe. Anastasia recalls moments when the violence crossed into the private sphere, the space where one expects protection.“I’ve received abusive, completely unjustified messages from anonymous people. When you read messages like ‘I will find you’, you realize how vulnerable you can feel.”That vulnerability runs deep, impacting our confidence, our sense of safety, and our willingness to speak freely. Digital violence is fueled by long-standing stereotypes deeply embedded in the culture, which Anastasia sees every day: “Gender stereotypes contribute to online abuse by imposing unrealistic expectations and limits on how women should behave.  ‘You are not allowed to have short hair, you are not allowed to swear, you have to cook, if you go to the gym you look like a man, if you don't you are fat’. But we are all different, and this diversity makes the beauty of our society. We follow people online because we are curious about their lives. Yet, when someone’s life does not align with our beliefs, we often resort to criticism.”Addressing digital violence requires more than public statements. It demands concrete, accessible, and effective mechanisms that protect those targeted and deter perpetrators. And, in her view, the responsibility lies equally with the major online platforms. The teams that run them have the power, but also the moral obligation, to create a safe environment for their users.“Online platforms must take responsibility for preventing abuse by implementing active monitoring, establishing clear rules of conduct, and providing simple reporting tools. They should react quickly to cases of harassment, suspend abusive accounts, and collaborate with authorities when threats or real-life violence are involved.  Some platforms already offer tools for blocking and deleting negative comments, which can effectively reduce the wave of hate directed at content creators. But aggressive users should lose access to the platform after a certain number of abusive messages. This still isn’t the case.”In her closing message, Anastasia offers solidarity, practical advice, and courage to all women and girls facing digital violence: “Block abusive users so they can’t access your page. Ignore them, don’t read hateful comments, don’t overthink them. They rarely make sense; they’re meant to hurt you. If it becomes too much, disable the comments section. And if you feel overwhelmed, speak to a psychologist.”Each of us has the power to make the online world safer. If you are facing digital violence, contact the Women and Girls Trust Line – 0 8008 8008, where support is free, confidential, and available whenever you need it. And if you are in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to call 112.

Their physiological capacity to adapt is limited, and extreme temperatures have direct and often dangerous effects. We discussed with Sergiu Gladun, Director of the Mother and Child Institute (IMC), how climate change affects the health of pregnant mothers, the intrauterine life of the fetus, and the first days of a newborn’s life.Mr. Gladun, could you please describe the specific risks that climate change poses to the health of mothers and newborns?Pregnant women and newborns are the most vulnerable to climate change due to their physiological fragility and limited adaptive capacity. Our responsibility is to provide them with a safe, balanced, and healthy environment, regardless of weather or season.During periods of intense heat, pregnant women are at risk of dehydration and premature contractions, which can affect placental circulation and fetal development. Newborns, who do not yet have an efficient thermoregulation system, are particularly sensitive to:overheating, which can cause hyperthermia, rapid dehydration, apnea episodes, or neurological disturbances;sudden cooling in low-temperature conditions.It is essential that the surrounding air temperature for children is comfortable and adapted to their physiological needs.Another risk posed by climate change and its consequences (drought, floods, displacement) is chronic maternal stress. Maternal anxiety and depression are often exacerbated by sudden climate changes, which are associated with:

— alterations in fetal brain development;

— increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), language and emotional disorders in children; chronic prenatal stress also raises maternal cortisol levels, which can affect the fetus's central nervous system.Considering the risks you mentioned, how is your institution prepared to address these challenges?The Mother and Child Institute has integrated climate change adaptation into its 2022–2026 Institutional Development Plan, focusing on three key areas: infrastructure resilience, thermal safety, and air quality.Renovation works target the Maternity Block and IMC Polyclinic, including thermal insulation of walls, replacement of old windows, modernization of lighting with LED technology, and upgrading heating and ventilation systems. Photovoltaic panels will also be installed to generate electricity, reducing energy consumption and heat emissions, contributing to a more sustainable environment.The Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatrics underwent a complete overhaul of water, sewage, and heating systems. Old sewer lines were replaced with sealed PVC-U pipes, reducing humidity and eliminating unpleasant odors and mold growth.Soviet-era heating systems were replaced with modern flat-panel steel radiators, equipped with thermostatic heads for individual control. Each room now has a thermostat that maintains temperatures between 22 and 24°C, a safe and comfortable range for children and newborns.Through these measures, IMC provides a safe and stable medical environment, protected from the effects of climate fluctuations, ensuring the health and comfort of mothers and children, regardless of season or external weather conditions.In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges the medical system faces in maintaining optimal temperatures in all maternity hospitals across the country?Our biggest challenge is the legacy of outdated infrastructure, which was not designed for today’s climatic and technological realities. Many maternity hospitals in the country were built decades ago under different conditions, and today we aim to make these spaces truly safe—warm in winter and cool in summer—for mothers and newborns.The costs of modernization are high, and implementing energy-efficient solutions requires time, planning, and resources. But behind every project and repair is the genuine care of medical teams and the support of partners who believe in our mission. With the help of the Ministry of Health, development partners, and international donors, we are gradually transforming these spaces into greener, more human-centered, and safer places.Can you describe trends among patients affected by climate change in recent years, and what projections exist for the future?Currently, we do not have official statistics fully reflecting the impact of climate change on maternal and child health. However, we observe correlations, such as respiratory conditions during winter and heat-related complications in extremely hot summers, including dehydration, premature births, and heat exhaustion.These trends highlight the need for a more detailed monitoring system and protocols adapted to new climate realities. We approach this challenge responsibly and with hope because, once we better understand the link between climate and health, we can more effectively protect what matters most: children’s lives and family well-being.Considering climate variations throughout the year (milder winters, late snowfalls in spring, extreme summer temperatures, sudden autumn chills), how do these phenomena affect pregnancy in each season?Each season leaves its mark on pregnancy. Nature no longer follows past patterns, and a pregnant woman’s body feels these changes acutely.Milder winters prolong exposure to allergens and respiratory infections, while late winters with snow and difficult road access can limit pregnant women’s access to consultations or emergency care.Extreme summer temperatures are perhaps the greatest challenge—the pregnant body is under extra stress, increasing the risk of dehydration, exhaustion, and premature births. Autumns with sudden temperature drops also bring risks of respiratory infections and maternal fatigue.All these factors remind us of the importance of personalized medical supervision of pregnancy, carefully adapted to the climate context. Essentially, it is double care: for the mother and for the environment around her.How does IMC respond to hospitalizations of pregnant women related to weather conditions or climate change effects?At the Mother and Child Institute, we have understood that caring for a mother’s health begins with caring for the environment in which she is treated. Climate change has shown us the importance of ensuring stable thermal comfort, regardless of season.Through investments made in recent years, we have managed to maintain a consistent microclimate in wards and delivery rooms, so patients feel safe and protected even when outdoor temperatures fluctuate dramatically. Modern ventilation and air-conditioning systems are not just technical equipment—they are part of our daily care, preventing complications caused by temperature variations and providing mothers with a warm, calm, and balanced environment.Adapting to new climatic conditions ultimately means adapting to the real needs of women and children. For us, this is not just an investment in technology, but an investment in safety, health, and life.A review conducted by UNFPA with the support of the UK Government, in the context of the UN campaign “Climate Change Adaptation is No Longer Optional in Moldova,” organized on the occasion of the UN Climate Change Conference COP30, Brazil, 2025.

She joined with a genuine desire to be close to young people and to recreate the atmosphere she grew up in - surrounded by teachers, learning materials, and people who educated with passion. Every day at the Center is different for her: workshops, discussions, volunteering activities, games, events.“I chose to work at the Youth Center because I love being close to people and contributing to the growth and motivation of young people. I believe every young person has enormous potential, and our role is to offer the tools and encouragement they need. I’m inspired by their energy, their fresh ideas, and their desire to do meaningful things for the community,” she says.The first months as a youth worker were for Maria a blend of emotion, discovery, and courage. New to the profession, she felt the need for real support - and the Youth Worker Development and Exchange Program, supported by UNFPA Moldova, came at exactly the right moment. From the beginning, the program offered her guidance, mentorship, and access to practical models. The initiative brought together 5 host Youth Centers and 5 experienced mentors who guided 10 interns through a process of professional development and exchange of good practices, helping improve the quality of youth work across the network.“As an intern, I had the opportunity to learn directly from experienced people, to observe how activities for young people are planned and carried out. I took part in organizing activities, learned how to communicate more effectively, and how to work as part of a team. My mentors guided me step by step, encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, and helped me become more confident in my ideas. The most important thing I learned is that when you work with young people, you need patience, empathy, and the sincere desire to listen to them. This program motivated me to stay involved in the community and continue growing professionally.”For five days, Maria visited the Ungheni Youth Center, where Dan Roșca was her mentor. She followed him through activities, asked questions, took notes, and observed. She understood how important organization is, how young people are involved in planning, and how a safe and motivating environment is created.“My mentors guided me step by step, encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, and helped me become more confident in my ideas. The most important thing I learned is that when you work with young people, you need patience, empathy, and the sincere desire to listen to them. This program motivated me to continue staying active in the community and to grow professionally,” Maria explains.As a mentor, Dan also had his share of positive challenges and shared how this experience taught him new things as well: “I learned to be flexible, to adapt to different situations, and together with Maria we explored topics and themes I hadn’t worked with before. We studied and analyzed real activities carried out at our Youth Center in Ungheni. My advice for youth workers at the beginning of their journey is to always be patient and persistent, because the youth sector is still developing in our country, and the most important thing is the young people themselves - staying focused on them is essential for any youth worker, regardless of experience.”In addition to individual mentorship, Maria also took part in three study visits with the other interns, at the Youth Centers in Ungheni, Chișinău, and Taraclia. She saw how other centers operate, what methods they use, how they motivate young people, and what an engaged community looks like around a youth center. It was an intense experience that connected the interns and created a network of people who want to grow together.The Youth Worker Development and Exchange Program was implemented by the MilleniuM Training and Development Institute, within the Joint Fund for Youth Empowerment and Youth Center Development in the Republic of Moldova, supported by the Ministry of Education and Research, the National Youth Agency, the Government of Switzerland, and UNFPA Moldova.