Strategic partnerships in fighting violence against women and domestic violence established by public discussions “10 years together against violence!”

The event brought together partners from the governmental sector - the Ministry of Labour, Family, and Social Protection, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, local public authorities, members of the National Coalition for preventing and combating violence, civil society and development partners, including survivors of domestic violence.

“Despite the important strides in strengthening the legislative and normative framework, the statistics for Moldova remain alarming. The most recent data indicate that - 1 in 2 women in Moldova suffered from multiple forms of physical violence directed from a spouse or partner, and only 1 in 3 women reported the acts of violence. Studies indicate that shame, fear of social stigma, lack of knowledge about existing laws and services, lack of confidence in the system and fear or retaliation from the perpetrator are among the key reasons keeping women from reporting cases violence”, said Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Moldova.

The purpose of the discussions was to raise awareness of authorities in view of strengthening joint efforts, taking into account the achievements and challenges in the area of domestic violence and violence against women. At the same time, the development partners emphasised the importance of the public commitment to support the signing and ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) by the Parliament.

Liliana Palihovici, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, pointed out: “The big effort that the Parliament and probably also the Government of Republic of Moldova have to undertake is towards the signing and ratification of the Convention that you all know well as the Istanbul Convention for the prevention of any form of violence towards women. At the level of each community, at the level of each region, we have to come up with specific projects, with specific services for the persons that were victims of violence of any kind”.

The Platform of the Women Members of Parliament presented its Commitment at the event in supporting and promoting the signing and ratification of the Istanbul Convention by Moldova.

“Sweden is proud to be a long term dialogue and government partner of the Government and the Parliament of Republic of Moldova and also of the common Dialogue Platform of Women MPs and the civil society organizations on all matters concerning gender equality and women empowerment, including the issue of the elimination of violence against women. You can count on our continued support to move this very important agenda forward”, noted Signe Burgstaller, Ambassador of Sweden in the Republic of Moldova.

"The plague of domestic violence is unfortunately well-rooted in our society and we need to join our efforts to change stereotypes and mind-sets. Each case is different, and the system must be effective for all forms of abuse", said Angelina Zaporojan, director of the Women's Law Center, an organization that holds the secretariat of the National Coalition “Life without domestic violence”.

The public discussions took place in the context of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence National Campaign 2016, and was organised by the Common Dialogue Platform of the Women Members of the Moldovan Parliament in partnership with the “Life without domestic violence” National Coalition with the support of “Strengthening Parliamentary Governance in Moldova” Programme implemented by UNDP with the financial support of the Swedish Government.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign started in 1991 and lasts from 25 November to 10 December. Its aim is to raise awareness of people on gender-based violence as a serious violation of the human rights, and to mobilise in the prevention of this phenomenon.

UN agencies in Moldova support the Government in revising and strengthening its legal framework for preventing and combating violence, creating services and multidisciplinary teams to assist the victims of violence, training of teachers, medical doctors and police to recognise the signs of abuse and violence, and the actions which need to be undertaken when such cases are detected.