UNFPA and partners bring multi-sectoral response services closer to gender based violence survivors

A Network of multisectoral support units for gender-based violence survivors created under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova with the support of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA Moldova) was launched on 30 October 2023. One of those Unites has been opened at the Orhei District Hospital and 10 more at the Mother and Child Institute in Chișinău, Institute of Emergency Medicine in Chișinău and the hospitals in Bălți, Edineț, Cahul, Comrat, Căușeni, Soroca, Florești, Hîncești.

The support units for GBV survivors were strategically integrated into the Emergency Department within medical institutions, as this is the most frequent point of access to services for survivors of violence. These Units include two specialized spaces - one room for gynecological examinations and provision of life-saving medical care, and another room for psychological counseling and interaction with other support services.

„We have to work a lot with people, inform women and create a society that not only talks about these phenomena, but also fights them. We will give these Units the mandate to promote the fight against violence and I will also insist that both medical workers and those from the social sphere, the local public administration, would be trained so that they can identify these cases in the localities, given the fact that they are most frequently hidden in rural localities, where the shame of reporting these cases prevails”, said the Minister of Health, Ala Nemerenco.

„The launch of the Network of Support Units in cases of gender-based violence represents a significant qualitative leap for the Republic of Moldova, in order to achieve the provisions of the Istanbul Convention. UNFPA welcomes the coordinated response of state services in cases of gender-based violence and remains committed to providing all necessary technical support to continue these efforts and ensure that all women and girls in Moldova are protected from all forms of violence and abuse and have access to services and quality care”, said Nigina Abaszada, UNFPA Resident Representative in Moldova.

„Through such initiatives, we try to support frontline specialists, give them more work tools and strengthen their capacities. This year, we will create the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Family Violence, which will coordinate and provide support in the implementation of policies and programs to reduce gender-based violence. Also, together with several partners, we are working on finalizing an investment plan in services at the local level in the field of preventing and combating violence”, said the Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Alexei Buzu.

The cabinet for medical examinations was equipped with a gynecological armchair (also adapted for people with disabilities) and other standard medical equipment for gynecological examinations. At the same time, the office is equipped with medicines and supplies necessary for medical care regarding the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as well as for the collection of forensic evidence.

The cabinet for psycho-emotional support has been equipped with furniture and equipment that allows providing psycho-emotional counseling services in a friendly, safe and confidential environment. This space also serves to prevent revictimization during interactions with professionals from other fields, such as forensic examiners or police officers.

The units are created as part of the implementation of the National Program on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. The launch event was attended by Ala Nemerenco, Minister of Health of the Republic of Moldova, Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, Ivan Crețu, Director of the Family Justice Center of the Ministry of Interior, Nigina Abaszada, Resident Representative of UNFPA Moldova, H.E. Katarina Fried, Ambassador of Sweden in the Republic of Moldova, Marcela Adam, Deputy in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

Statistics show that most of the women who are victims of domestic violence are young and between the ages of 24 and 45. According to the information presented by the National Single Service for Emergency Calls 112, the Republic of Moldova is in the top of the countries in Europe with the most cases in which women have been psychologically or sexually abused at least once in their lives. In the Republic of Moldova, practically 3 out of 4 women (73%) have experienced one form or another of family violence during their lifetime. About 30 women die each year from these abuses.