Moldova joins 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign

In support of this civil society initiative, the UNiTE to End Violence against Women initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations calls for global action to raise awareness, spur advocacy efforts and exchange knowledge and innovative ideas on immediately and permanently eliminating violence against women and girls.

The 2023 theme of the UNiTE campaign is Investing in preventing violence against women and girls, focusing on the importance of funding violence prevention strategies to eradicate this phenomenon.

In Moldova, three out of four women, or 73%, have experienced at least one form of intimate partner violence. At least 71% were victims of psychological abuse, while 1 in 3 women were subjected to physical violence and 20.9% to sexual violence. Violence negatively affects women's physical and mental health as well as their overall well-being at all stages of their lives, hampering their professional development and economic empowerment. But violence can be prevented.

The campaign will feature events and initiatives organized by UN Women Moldova, in partnership with UN agencies, the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, civil society, the international community, local public authorities, the private sector and women survivors of violence. The goal is to raise awareness of the phenomenon and encourage women experiencing gender-based violence to seek help and report cases.

The campaign launch event, organized by UN Women on 24 November, will include an immersive digital art exhibition "Emerging from the shadows: The Sun shouldn’t hurt", illustrating the stories of four Moldovan and Ukrainian women of different backgrounds and ages, all affected by various types of violence, to raise awareness of the seriousness of this phenomenon and the need to take immediate action to prevent and eradicate it. The name of the exhibition refers to one of these stories in which a mother metaphorically called her aggressor "The Sun" so as not to frighten her daughter, causing suffering to her.

"Women and girls in Moldova continue to suffer from different types of violence. They require support and protection,” said Simon Springett, Resident Coordinator of UN Moldova. “Our continued joint leadership and strong advocacy efforts to support survivors of violence, as well as the government, in ending gender-based violence, is essential for making a difference. We all have a role to play and every action towards preventing gender-based violence is a step forward to a safer, more equal and prosperous future."

"Violence against women and girls continues to be an obstacle to the fulfillment of their human rights, emphasized Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova’s Country Representative. “Violence against women can and must be prevented. Increased joint efforts and investments are needed in prevention measures and ensuring access to protection and support services, including equal access to justice, for women who are or may be at risk, so that they are safe and enjoy a life free of violence. There is no excuse for violence against women."

We are convinced that our joint efforts can accelerate transformative action to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

The official color of the campaign is orange, which is a symbol of a bright, violence-free future for every woman and girl. This year the campaign hashtag is #NOEXCUSE, because there is #NOEXCUSE for violence against women and girls.

[1] https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/e/f/425867_0.pdf