However, nearly six out of ten women with disabilities are resilient to stigma and discrimination and well aware of their rights. These are the key findings of the survey "Analysis of the level of stigmatisation of women with disabilities," which was developed under a project funded through the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) and implemented by the Moldova country offices of UN Women and UNDP. The survey’s findings were presented on 22 March 2023 during a workshop attended by service providers and women with disabilities from different regions of the country. "Social barriers such as stigma and discrimination affect the ability of women with disabilities to integrate the social and economic life of the country. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection advocates for an inclusive society, where every person can enjoy his or her fundamental rights and freedoms. In this context, the survey presented today will help us to better understand the problems faced by these people and to promote public policies oriented to their needs", said Vasile Cușca, State Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. The survey found that three out of every ten women with disabilities in Moldova have had difficulty in employment and/or lost their job or source of income. Having limited access to public transportation and medical services are two other problems the women reported in the questionnaires. Referring to violence, the interviewed women mentioned that the perpetrators were most frequently people close to the victims. The women also said that family, social assistance and medical services were the greatest sources of support in helping them overcome the consequences of violence. Meanwhile, local public authorities and the police were considered the least effective sources of support and intervention. The survey found that one out of every two women who went through discrimination or abuse did not tell anyone about these negative experiences and among those who decided to report the problem, one out of four did not receive any support. „To achieve transformative and innovative solutions, they must be inclusive right from the start. This means amplifying the roles of women and girls with disabilities across all aspects of development, including through meaningful engagement and inclusive consultations, and through targeted policy advocacy, inclusive programming, strengthening our partnerships with both UN and non-UN actors. The joint, cross-regional programme (2022-23) launched by UN-Women and UNDP in Moldova, Pakistan, Samoa, and Palestine (OPT), is an example which strengthens behavioural insights and intersectional approaches to confront stigma, discrimination, abuse, and Gender based violence (GBV) against women with disabilities. The event in Chisinau today presented important collected data which demonstrated the urgency to address existing stigma, discrimination by both state actors, CSOs, OPDs, UN partners, and private sector, together.” mentioned Abul Hasnat Monjurul Kabir, Global Adviser and Team Leader, Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion, UN Women. "It is important that the voices of women with disabilities reflected in this survey as well as other studies and discussions are heard and that the challenges and proposals for solutions are taken into account while developing interventions, strategies and policies,” said Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova’s Country Representative. “For UN Women, the issues highlighted in this survey, such as preventing and combating discrimination, stigma and violence and economically empowering women, including women with disabilities, remain a priority." Valeria Ieșeanu, a Partnership Planning and Development Specialist at UNDP Moldova, discussed the challenges that remain. "Although in recent years we have witnessed several positive trends in the social and economic integration of women with disabilities, stereotypes and gender-based discrimination remain difficult obstacles for many women to overcome,” she said. “The findings of this survey must lie at the basis of future actions and policies to be adopted to ensure full equality between men and women." The survey was conducted by the Motivatie Association of Moldova between 20 November 2022 and 12 January 2023, using a sample size of 110 women with disabilities from all over the country. The interviews were based on a methodology proposed by experts from the University College London. The survey’s findings will be taken into account while strengthening services and interventions in the field. Called "Addressing stigmatisation, discrimination and violence to empower women with disabilities in the Republic of Moldova,” the project, which is being implemented by UNDP and UN Women, seeks to address the key challenges in overcoming stigmatisation and discrimination and more effectively address violence against women and girls with disabilities.

"We expect that 85,000 people will benefit from support through this project, including for installing biomass heating systems. At the same time, the project will strengthen the capacities of agricultural producers to increase food security and with the implementation of the Farmers’ Registry we will be able to allocate resources in a more efficient manner so small and medium-sized farmers will be empowered to grow and carry out more projects," said Dorin Recean, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova.  “Human security – a life that is free from fear and free from want – should be assured for all, in any context. We are delighted to announce this partnership between Japan and UNDP Moldova, under which we will work together to strengthen human security at a time when Moldovans, and those living in Moldova, need it most. In the context of the current energy, food and socioeconomic crises, we will prioritise support for livelihoods, community security, food security and energy security under this project,” said Asako Okai, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director, UNDP Crisis Bureau. “This project is part of the $27 million package the Japanese Government had announced last December for the humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan host communities. We thank the UNDP, which is the largest UN development aid agency and a trusted partner of the Japanese Government, for assisting in strengthening security and resilience of the Republic of Moldova,” said Yoichiro Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Moldova. The Japan-funded project, to be implemented by UNDP over a period of a year, will contribute to increased energy security through access to affordable energy that supports livelihoods and energy-efficient production. Households will receive support to install biomass heating systems, while existing biofuel producers will be able to access grants for efficient production. Private companies in the agricultural sector and households with economic activity will be encouraged to adopt energy-efficient technologies, to help reduce the country’s dependence on natural gas imports. The project will also strengthen the capacities of agricultural producers with the aim to enhance food security. With the development of a Farmers Registry ensuring full traceability of Moldovan agricultural products, authorities will be able to verify, certify, and monitor final products’ compliance with relevant specifications and quality requirements. Data from the registry will be used to inform decisions on granting agricultural subsidies. At the same time, MSMEs will receive support and advisory services in upgrading their harvesting, production, storage, and processing capacities. Strengthening the capacity of police and community actors to deliver on the principles of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence and enhance community security is an important component of the project. A sociological tool to inform decision-making for central and local authorities in support of a stronger social cohesion will be piloted and tested.  To support the prompt deployment of police services and rapid responses to community security calls or crisis situations, including in remote areas, fit-for-purpose police vehicles will be provided and police officers equipped with rugged body cameras to properly detect and document public order violations. The project will also seek to introduce smart policing tools for on-site identification and documentation of public security and road safety incidents. The project, entitled “Multidimensional response to emerging human security challenges”, is expected to benefit 85,000 people upon completion in a year.

Children from Ungheni and Cahul benefit from improved health services, thanks to the support received by the Health Centres under the “EU4Moldova: Key Regions” Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF.     Two years ago, two teams of evaluators visited Slobozia Mare, Zîrnești, Crihana Veche, Moscovei, Cornești, Pîrlița, Petrești, Găvănoasa and Ungheni and Cahul cities, mapping the needs of children in primary health care. Shortly afterward, 250 nurses received anthropometric equipment, including portable scales, a stadiometer, and a measuring tape to facilitate home visits of families with newborns or young children.    “Health workers in primary health care play a central role in providing and coordinating services to monitor children’s growth and development from the earliest days of life through adolescence. Early identification of child growth and development problems is the primary and universal opportunity for timely intervention with optimal results”, said Adela Horodișteanu-Banuh, Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Integration of Health Services, Institute of Mother and Child." Since the launch of the program, more than 450 medical workers from all public primary health care institutions in Cahul and Ungheni regions have learned how to monitor healthy child development and pregnant women in ambulatory conditions, as well as how to implement adjusted standards for child growth and development through home visiting programs.      “We learned how to communicate effectively with patients, especially with families at-risk, understand their needs and provide support. The Home Child Monitoring Guide and the modernly equipped portable kits help us monitor children’s growth parameters, identifying problems and addressing them early," said Natalia Filipenco, senior nurse at the Cahul Health Centre. In 2022, Child Development Offices were opened in 10 primary healthcare facilities. Children’s consultations can now occur in a child-friendly environment that meets their needs and European health standards. Each office has infant pedometers, electronic baby scales, changing tables for newborns, chairs for parents, breastfeeding cushions, tables for children, toys, and books.   The antenatal classrooms, where the new parents are trained, have been refurbished with modern equipment for practical work in the classes - balls, dummies, mattresses, LEDs, and information materials.    “Thanks to the “EU4Moldova: Key Regions” Programme, parents are educated about harmonious growth and care of children, including how to identify developmental delays in the early days of life. Pregnant women learn what to expect in antenatal classrooms when they become mothers. During home visits, we monitor their health, and social background, identify risky behaviors, and protect them”, added Natalia Filipenco. About 16,000 cards for families with children aged 0-18, with important information for parents on child growth and development, are being distributed to families in Ungheni and Cahul. More than 1000 families have received information booklets for parents, which provide advice on postpartum depression, young child hygiene, language development, vaccination, and prevention of infectious diseases.      Aiming to detect developmental delays in children, more than 100 family doctors and nearly 300 nurses attended workshops where they learned to observe children’s behavioral patterns and guide parents.    Adjusting and updating the Medical Colleges’ curricula with a chapter on “Child Health Growth and Development Standards including home-visiting programs” will bring more positive changes in children’s health in Ungheni and Cahul. So far, 40 lecturers and students have been trained on this topic.      “Ensuring a healthy start to child development and strengthening child health is one of UNICEF’s priority missions. Equipping nurses with modern mobile kits for home visits to families contributes to providing quality health services for every child in Ungheni and Cahul. Regular monitoring of child health by nurses brings several benefits, including one of the most important - early identification of developmental delays and disabilities”, said Igor Codreanu, Health Officer, UNICEF Moldova.  Strengthening health services for children and parents in Cahul and Ungheni will continue in the coming years.     The “EU4Moldova: Key Regions” Programme supports the facilitation of inclusive and sustainable local socio-economic growth and improves citizens’ living standards in Ungheni and Cahul municipalities. The Programme, to be implemented by 2024, has a total budget of €23.3 million.      This article was produced as part of the “EU4Moldova: Key Regions” Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP and UNICEF. The publication’s content belongs to the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.