Many young people migrate internally or abroad for educational and employment opportunities. "Most youth who leave are aged 20-30, as this is when they pursue studies or work, either in the capital or abroad. To motivate them to stay, it is essential to create development opportunities for them here in the community," stated Pavel Culicovschi, President of the Cantemir District Council.Limited access to youth services and the lack of a Youth Center contribute to young people's low participation in decision-making processes and civic activities. As a result, young people have fewer opportunities to develop their skills, organize into initiative groups, and contribute to local development.In 2024, Cantemir District participated in the support program for Level II local public authorities (LPAs) to plan youth-related budgets. The support program provides a detailed analysis of the district's youth situation and training for authorities, local youth organizations, and active youth in strategic planning and participatory budgeting for youth activities. Additionally, it offers tailored assistance in creating a results-oriented action plan adapted to local needs and available resources for the next calendar year.The program has supported 27 district councils over its five years of existence. It is implemented by the PRO BONO Information and Resources Center within the Joint Fund for Strengthening Youth Participation and Developing Youth Centers in the Republic of Moldova, supported by the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova, the National Youth Agency, the Government of Switzerland, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).President Pavel Culicovschi aims to leverage this opportunity alongside the district council team and local youth to analyze the district's youth situation, more effectively plan activities and the budget for 2025, meet the current needs of young people, and provide more development opportunities."When I took office as district president, Cantemir district lacked a socio-economic development strategy. Furthermore, the youth sector had no vision or development plan, and the district council did not have a specialist employed in this area," noted Mr. Culicovschi.The President of the District Council considers the youth sector vital for the district and sought support from the National Youth Agency to launch initial initiatives to support young people's personal and professional development, encourage their involvement in community life, and prevent migration.Participating in the support program has led to several commitments by Cantemir District's LPAs, including ensuring a budgetary planning process for youth, launching the District Youth Council, and developing and approving the Youth Strategy for 2025-2029."We aim to provide young people in Cantemir District with more opportunities, tools, and support for development tailored to their current needs. We now have a clearer vision of the youth situation in the district and have developed a youth action plan for 2025, which we are set to implement," reiterated the district president."I am confident that next year, we will initiate a series of processes related to the youth sector that will naturally lead to opening a Youth Center in the district. I know our youth desire this greatly. At the same time, we will work on developing the youth strategy to plan long-term activities and programs that will support youth participation throughout the district," added Mr. Culicovschi.The Cantemir District President believes that participating in this program has benefited public officials and all local actors in organizing activities and projects for young people, who ultimately stand to benefit the most. "Our youth are a valuable asset, both for the district and the country, and investing in them is essentially an investment in the future and progress of our nation," stated Pavel Culicovschi confidently.The support program for LPAs in developing youth strategies and budgets is implemented by the PRO BONO Information and Resources Center within the Joint Fund for Strengthening Youth Participation and Developing Youth Centers in the Republic of Moldova. It is supported by the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova, the National Youth Agency, the Government of Switzerland, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)., filtered_html

 Just in the past year, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Kingdom, "Artemida" managed to provide cash assistance to 224 women, including those from the local community and Ukrainian refugees. Additionally, over 8,600 women have benefited from informational services, and around 4,900 girls and women have received psychological help and emotional support.As part of its partnership with UNFPA, "Artemida" is carrying out various activities in 13 districts in the northern region (Florești, Glodeni, Fălești, Sîngerei, Șoldănești, Soroca, Rezina, Ocnița, Rîșcani, Drochia, Briceni, Dondușeni, and Edineț) and four districts in the southern region (Cahul, Cantemir, Taraclia, and Leova). This is all done through three mobile teams, three static teams, and the team responsible for providing financial assistance.Field work of the mobile teamsEvery morning, the mobile teams and the team responsible for providing financial assistance from the association travel to various locations across the country to offer necessary support to women in these communities. The mobile teams were established in 2022 by UNFPA, in partnership with the NGO "Artemida" and in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, as a response to the refugee crisis. Since then, they have been delivering qualified services to refugees and host families.Each team includes social workers and psychologists. The mission of the mobile teams is to inform girls and women about gender-based violence, domestic violence, reproductive health, and specialized services for preventing and combating violence. Additionally, women can access psychological and emotional support through these teams.“After the informational sessions, we always stay for at least 20 minutes because women who didn’t feel comfortable asking certain questions publicly come back. We provide them with the information they need but were hesitant to ask about,” says Liliana Juc, a psychologist with the NGO "Artemida."On the other hand, the "Artemida" team is responsible for case management and monitoring for victims of domestic violence and refugee women in need of assistance, including financial aid. The social workers on the financial assistance team create individualized intervention plans tailored to the victims' specific needs and requirements. These plans include informational support, legal assistance, medical and psychological care, as well as cash assistance provided for three months. This way, team members act as liaisons between women in need and the institutions that can provide the required support.“Once the objectives of the individualized plan are met, the case is closed. However, we can revisit it anytime if the person needs further assistance,” explains Mariana Zaporojan, a social worker at "Artemida."Meetings with financial aid beneficiaries are conducted individually in the Safe Space inside the specially equipped vehicle that travels to their location. “Depending on the women’s schedules, we can counsel up to six people per day,” adds Mariana Zaporojan.The "Ariadna" temporary shelter centerThe NGO "Artemida" also manages the "Ariadna" Assistance and Counseling Center for survivors of domestic violence, founded in 2006 in Drochia. The center provides refuge for women and children at high risk, where their safety and well-being are jeopardized if they remain in a violent home environment. When legal protection measures fail to ensure the safety of survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, they are temporarily housed at "Ariadna."The stay at the center lasts three months but can be extended up to six months if risks persist. The center has the capacity to host 24 individuals, including women and their children, simultaneously. It offers private rooms, including accommodations for individuals with disabilities, multiple bathrooms, a counseling room, and a shared kitchen.“When a woman is placed in the center, a bank account is opened for her. Each month, state funds are transferred to this account to cover food and hygiene expenses during her stay,” explains Ina Danilciuc, a social worker at the "Ariadna" center.In 2023 alone, 15 women and 26 children benefited from temporary shelter at "Ariadna."Real stories of resilienceBelow are the real stories of three women who successfully broke the cycle of violence and started new lives, supported by the "Artemida" team with assistance from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Moldova. These women received psychological support, legal aid, social and financial assistance, informational services, and care for their children.Maria*, 40 years oldMaria and her former husband were married for 15 years, during which she endured multiple acts of violence. “I was in a foreign village, with four small children, not knowing where to go, so I endured it. His family worked in agriculture and had connections in the police. What could I prove? Who would listen to me? No one would protect me,” Maria recalls.Her ex-husband was violent not only towards her but also towards their four children. “We have a son and three daughters together. We were all beaten together, hugging each other and crying. I remember once he beat me because I didn’t answer the phone while I was working in his father’s field. He took a cable and hit me and the children, who had accidentally put the phone on silent. I tried to shield the children with my body and was hit so hard I couldn’t lie on my back for a month.”For over four years, Maria’s ex-husband has been in Poland, where he owns a business. A year ago, he invited Maria to join him with their four children. “I sold almost everything in the house to cover some of his debts and went to Poland. Shortly after, I found out he had a mistress. We argued. He threatened to kill me multiple times and physically assaulted me,” Maria recounts.At that point, Maria decided to turn to the Polish police. Her husband was placed under the supervision of the police and social services. “When I told him I wanted to return to Moldova with the children, he called the police to deport me, claiming my stay had expired. But I already had permission to leave Poland. One day, I took the children to school, and while he was asleep, I retrieved my documents, which he had hidden. That same day, while he was away with his mistress, I quickly packed our belongings, picked up the children from school, and left for Moldova.”Upon returning to Moldova, Maria and her children went to her hometown. “My mother’s neighbor allowed me to live temporarily in her deceased parents’ house. I made some repairs. Later, the daughter of a friend introduced me to a charitable organization. They helped me buy a larger house with better conditions.”Maria met the team from NGO "Artemida" by chance when she visited the village mayor’s office. “Artemida provided the help I needed most and gave me the courage to take the first step into a new life. With the funds from the organization, I bought chickens, wheat, a stove, and prepared my children for school. It’s so important to have someone give you a push and support you at the beginning of your journey. Now I’ve found a job in the village, and my children are doing much better. They’ve adapted to the new house and school, and they’re happy that we’re together,” Maria concludes.Irina*, 26 years oldIrina grew up in a family-type orphanage after both her mother and father passed away when she was still very young. “After finishing ninth grade, I went to study in a town in the north of the country. At 17, I met my ex-husband. We started dating, and shortly after, I became pregnant. So, in my second year of studies, I had to drop out of school,” Irina remembers.The couple was together for nine years and has two children: a son and a daughter. “He never raised his hand to me when he was sober. Most of our arguments were because of alcohol. My first call to the police was when my son turned one. We were visiting. He had been drinking and hit me without any reason. In the last three years, things got worse. After one of our fights, two years ago, he beat me badly and tried to choke me. I had a panic attack. I didn’t want my children to grow up in a family like that, with alcohol and violence,” Irina confides.Although her husband's family knew about his violent behavior, they never intervened to help Irina. Thus, she was left alone to face the abuse from her ex-husband, on whom she depended financially, as she was not employed. “On Easter, he hit me so badly that one of my eyes was filled with blood. All his relatives were present when he assaulted me, but none of them wanted to call the police. At that moment, I wanted to die... but I thought about my children. I grew up without my mother and father; I know no one will love them the way I do. In the end, they had to call the police and an ambulance because I was in a critical condition.”As a result of this incident, a restraining order was issued against her husband. Irina was then forced to return to her ex-husband, as the children were with him. A few months later, he hit her again. “He hadn’t been home for a day and came back drunk. I told him I couldn’t tolerate that behavior, that I wanted to take the kids and leave. He broke my phone and dragged me back into the house. He started hitting me and pulling my hair. He called me a psychopath,” Irina recalls.However, the next day, Irina filed a police report, managed to take her children, and left the house where they had been living. “Someone recommended a lawyer to me, and he gave me the number for the ‘Ariadna’ shelter in Drochia. When I entered the center, I felt no emotions. I focused on myself and my children. My husband’s violence also affected the children. My son became aggressive towards his sister. Since we’ve been living in the center, he’s become calmer. The children still fight, but my son no longer raises his hand against his sister.”Since Irina and her children have been at the temporary shelter, her life has improved. The team at "Artemida" helped her find a job so she could earn her own money. “I feel much better emotionally, physically, and mentally. The children are doing well; they attend school and kindergarten in Drochia. They communicate with their father, but he doesn’t make much of an effort. Now, I feel much more confident in myself. I’ve had many sessions with the association’s psychologist. It’s much easier when you have someone to share what’s troubling you,” says Irina.Irina encourages other women not to tolerate domestic violence. “I was also afraid to leave, but women should not endure violence. A person doesn’t change. If they raised their hand once, they will raise it again.”Oxana*, 34 years oldOxana and the father of her children were never officially married. The man became violent after she gave birth to their first child. “He didn’t hit me every day. He was violent when he wanted to cheat or when his friends would tell him that I was controlling him. I just couldn’t live like that anymore; it was psychologically destroying me,” Oxana recalls.The couple was together for 7 years and had two daughters. During this time, Oxana endured constant psychological abuse, which later turned physical. “The first time he hit me, I called the police. They fined him and issued a restraining order, but nothing changed. What made me leave was when he raised his hand to our children. He threw the older girl on the bed, and he roughly handled the younger one to scare me. But I took courage and decided to leave. I went out into the street with everything I had, with my two small children, without parents, without brothers or sisters.”Oxana had been preparing to leave for a long time, knowing that no one would support her. She was relying solely on her own strength. “The local police officer told me, ‘Stay at home, it’s warm. There are cases where it’s worse, but you are fine.’ My ex-husband has many acquaintances and friends in the town, and they all supported him. I had long planned to leave because I thought, if something happens to me, who will raise my children? I managed to save some money.”Oxana had found the contacts of several shelters for survivors of domestic violence, but few of them had the proper conditions for such young children. “Many shelters refused me because my youngest daughter was only five months old and the oldest was two. I couldn’t even get a job because the girls were too young. Finally, I managed to reach a shelter where we could stay,” Oxana shares.Oxana found out about A.O. “Artemida” when she visited the local city hall. “Artemida helped me find a lawyer, supported me psychologically, and the financial aid I received helped me save up to live. If I hadn’t lived in the shelter, I would have had to rent, and I don’t know how I would have managed.”Oxana admits that it’s difficult to cope with the challenges alone, but she feels better emotionally now. “The girls are still young and often get sick. We almost always end up in the hospital every month, and with such a schedule, I can’t go to work. I sued the children’s father to get child support, but to this day, nothing has come of it. It’s like the laws don’t work. He still has the right to go abroad and earn money, even though he refuses to help financially with the children.”With the money she saved, Oxana managed to buy a small house where she lives with her daughters. “Women’s organizations and shelters can help, but you have to want to change something yourself. It’s hard for me to raise the children alone, but I give them everything I can, and I’m lucky to have the support of the state. Many women continue to endure violence. They end up traumatized, both they and their children, but they don’t deserve to live like that,” concludes Oxana.The names of the survivors have been changed to respect confidentiality and provide protection., filtered_html

"Behind their tall gate, I spot the little girl barefoot on the cold, wet cement. The girl's father was just waking up from sleep and a drunken stupor, while the mother, pregnant with her sixth child, I found in the last room of the house — with a bruise under her eye, covered up to her neck. And we encounter such situations quite often..." shares Marina from Pogănești.We met Marina, a 34-year-old child protection specialist, in the center of the village where she works. She had just returned from one of the meetings with the multidisciplinary team in a neighboring village. Together with the police, a social worker, and the mayor, they had analyzed the case of a family where the rights of the child were being violated.Marina lives close to the village center. In the building with a blue roof, across from the town hall, she shares a small, cool room — the so-called office — with the social worker. At lunchtime, she went home to have some tea, feed the cat, and bring with her a few quinces, which her husband, a farmer at heart, grows at the edge of their garden.The Răchițanu couple recently celebrated one year since returning home from abroad. Paris had hosted them for nine years. There, they met, started a family, and became parents to a boy."I am originally from Soroca, and my husband is from here, Pogănești. I studied pedagogy in Bălți. I always knew for sure that I wanted to go to the Pedagogical College, then to university for a bachelor's and master's degree, to complete everything. I tried working for about half a year, but I couldn't keep up with the expenses. Then, a friend invited me to try my luck abroad, and so I 'tried' for nine years," says Marina, ironically commenting on how quickly the time passed.Their return home was a new beginning. Marina's husband fulfilled his childhood dream — he built a greenhouse and started farming. Since many villages lack teaching staff, Marina was offered a job as a math teacher at the school."I declined because math isn't my field. My specialization is geography and biology. Winter came, and so did despair. There wasn't much to do around the house, but you need to support the family. I heard about this new position — child protection specialist — and decided to apply, without much hope," she recounts.In April 2024, Marina was hired as a child protection specialist and attended training courses organized by the NGO "AVE Copiii Association for Child and Family Empowerment." The training program is part of UNICEF's "Protection of Children at Risk" project, implemented with financial support from the European Union through the European Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO)."At first, it was very hard for me. I didn't understand anything because I had no experience in this field. After the first training, I wanted to quit. But I pulled myself together, started studying the law, asking the trainers questions, and little by little, every day, it became easier. I called the ladies from STAS and AVE Copiii several times a day. They understood that I was just starting, that I was learning. Now I can say that I fully find myself in this profession and field," she clarifies.During training sessions, specialists improve their knowledge of the legal framework and the responsibilities of child protection authorities, acquire skills in identifying and conducting initial and comprehensive assessments of cases of violence against children, managing protection interviews, and mobilizing stakeholders in the process of developing and implementing an individual assistance plan.Marina monitors families in four neighboring villages — Pogănești, Călmățui, Cioara, and Dancu — where approximately 2,000 children live. She often walks up to 2.5 km to reach each family on her list."I remember the first time I took two children from a family. The little one cried so much, and the older one, trying to comfort him, kept saying that their mother would come to get them in the evening. My heart was breaking because I have a child at home too, but I knew that, even though it was hard for them at the moment, I was doing the right thing by separating them from the abusive family," she says."These children truly need protection. They need us to work with their parents. And we are working with such 'raw material'... We need to work with today's adults while they are still forming, in school, with one or two mandatory lessons per week, just like math and Romanian language. We shouldn't act only after tragedies have occurred, post-factum, but work to prevent these unfortunate events. Society needs to be made aware and held accountable," Marina adds.In the village, she says, cases of child abuse multiply when alcohol provides additional reasons for conflict."At the moment, I am monitoring 15 active cases in four villages, all of them quite serious," says Marina. "A case of family rape — a 5-year-old child. Abandonment — a grandmother put the children outside the gate and left for abroad. There are many severe cases. But I don't know what is worse — when parents have passed away, leaving children alone, or when parents are alive, healthy, doing well, but they have abandoned their children and refuse to take responsibility," Marina shares while listing the abuse cases she manages in the four villages of the Hâncești district.Usually, the most serious reports come from the police. Neighbors also report, but they are more hesitant when the report needs to be officially written down. Although reports remain anonymous, people are still afraid to talk about abuse to the competent authorities."I am not originally from the village, and people here don’t know me well. But the social workers are locals, and information reaches them faster," she adds."In a neighboring village, the social worker received information that a child hadn’t attended kindergarten for two months. Together, we went to the family to check the situation. Behind their tall gate, I saw a little girl barefoot on the cold, damp cement. The father was just waking up from sleep and drunkenness, and the girl’s mother, pregnant with her sixth child, we found in the last room of the house, with a bruise under her eye, covered up to her neck. And we encounter such situations quite often," Marina confesses.In serious cases with imminent danger, children are taken from their biological family into emergency placement for 72 hours. During this time, extended family (aunts, grandparents) is sought to provide shelter and care, or they are hosted by professional foster parents (APP). If the children have no extended family and no available APP to provide them with a roof over their heads, the children are sent to the Temporary Placement Center for Children in Risk Situations "Brîndușa" in the city of Hâncești.The initial training of Marina and other specialists is part of the national project "Protection of Children in Risk Situations," implemented by UNICEF and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, in partnership with the NGO "AVE Copiii Association for Child and Family Empowerment," funded by the European Union through the European Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection – ECHO. By the end of 2025, over 6,000 specialists across the country working in social, health, education, and legal protection sectors will benefit from training designed to improve the response to cases of violence against children.In her work, Marina strives to encourage people to take action when they observe a child in a risky situation or adults violating children's rights."When you see a situation with potential danger for a child, stop, don’t just walk by. Ask yourself if that child is safe," concludes Marina., filtered_html

“We should not allow disabilities to limit us,” said Jalba, a spry and chatty 29-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects her body movements and muscle coordination.“I like living by myself in my apartment and being responsible for my own life. I pay my bills, go to the movies when it pleases me, and I don’t have to give explanations to anybody. My only challenges are overcoming barriers so that I can enjoy my human rights.”Jalba recently completed an internship program conducted by UN Moldova, under the leadership of UN Human Rights Moldova. Set up in 2016, the UN Diversity Internship supports the inclusion of people belonging to marginalized groups who often face discrimination.Working with mentors, the interns gain practical experience and acquire professional skills, useful for future employment in the labour market, including at the UN. The initiative is also meant to be a learning opportunity for the UN.“The internship helped me personally and professionally,” said Jalba, who has a master’s degree in foreign languages and literature and works as a translator for an NGO in Chisinau. “I learned how to cope with my emotions and to better focus on the things I want to do.”Jalba takes a lot of pride in her work as a translator, which she does from home.“I type and I also use a voice system,” Jalba explained. “I am very accurate. I check everything, every word, every comma. I can sometimes be very particular. I don’t trust AI,” she added, bursting into laughter.InclusionMoldova, a small European country, ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2010. The ratification led to important legislative changes, including the 2012 Law on Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and other reforms.However, the fight for inclusion is far from over. In Moldova and elsewhere around the world, too many barriers continue to limit the participation of persons with disabilities in public and social life, denying them their rights, including access to education, health care, jobs, voting, and cultural and sporting activities, rights groups say.Persons with disabilities are among the poorest in Moldova, official data show. Their employment rate is half that of the general population. Women with disabilities, particularly from rural areas, face high risks of violence, poverty, and social exclusion.Under its mandate, UN Human Rights works with partners, civil society, persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, and the government to further advance the implementation of the Convention and promote the inclusion and participation in society of persons with disabilities.This work includes advocacy, training and providing guidance and technical advice to develop policies following human rights-based approaches to disability.“Persons with disabilities have the right to lead dignified and independent lives, on an equal basis with others,” said UN Human Rights officer Xenia Siminciuc, who was Diana’s mentor during the internship.The two women have become close friends. More recently, Siminciuc helped Jalba draft a CV and improve her job interview skills, and Jalba is now employed by People's Advocate Office/Ombuds Office.“We need to change our approach and see persons with disabilities as participants and contributors in the social, economic, cultural, civic and political life of our society and have access to the necessary support to exercise their human rights." Xenia Siminciuc, UN Human Rights Officer.Vasile Cusca, State Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, said Moldova’s government is committed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, including adequate social protection, adapting educational institutions and improving professional training.“Moldova has made a lot of progress, but there are still areas where we need to continue working,” he said. Since adopting the Law on Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Moldova has developed a National Program on Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and a National Deinstitutionalization Program, he said.The State Secretary said the Ministry has a good working relationship with UN Human Rights, and with the international human rights mechanisms. He said that despite limited funding, the government is engaging with partners to develop reforms and programs focused on advancing disability rights.“The participation of persons with disabilities is a crucial element of inclusion. Not only for legislative reforms and revision of frameworks but very importantly to combat stereotypes and negative beliefs in society.”Changing mentalitiesFor Ludmila Adamciuc it is all about changing mentalities. Adamciuc is the mother of Beatrice, a seven-year-old girl with Down syndrome.After giving birth to her daughter, Adamciuc decided to become an activist for disability rights. With the support of UN Human Rights, she founded Prietena Mea (which means My Friend in Romanian), an NGO in Chisinau that raises awareness about the importance of acceptance of disabilities and empowers parents of children with disabilities.“We live in a society with a lot of stigma and low acceptance of children with disabilities,” Adamciuc said.“We hear cases of children with disabilities who are not accepted at educational institutions under the pretext that they have no qualified staff, but these can be examples of discrimination. This is why it is important to change mentalities, but also to enhance the skills of professionals and provide access to necessary support services. We are talking about equality of rights of children with disabilities.”Bringing down barriersValeryi Shemyanskyi and Galina Fedotova, who are husband and wife, are also fighting to bring down barriers.Shemyanskyi, who was born with cerebral palsy, is the president of GLIN, a civil society organisation organization on the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River that provides legal, medical and psychological counselling for disadvantaged groups, including persons with disabilities.The pair participated in a recent UN Human Rights capacity building program, where they learned about human rights, advocacy and other skills to promote change. Their organization is working with the de-facto authorities to amend regulatory framework on heath care and social benefits for persons with disabilities.Shemyanskyi, who is currently finishing his law studies in Tiraspol with the idea of becoming a prosecutor, said GLIN is also planning to open a legal and psychological center on the right bank of the Dniester/Nistru River.“Many persons with disabilities are unaware that they have the same human rights as everybody else,” said Fedotova, executive director of GLIN. “But we want to make a difference.”, filtered_html