10 accessible statistical profiles of women and girls from Moldova were launched

The 10 analytical notes were developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the UN Joint Programme "Strengthening the National Statistical System", in cooperation with the National Bureau of Statistics and with the support of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

"These profiles of women and girls are targeted to policy-makers, civil society and the general public. This illustrated and simplified version is meant to increase our understanding of the collected data, so it can be further used to formulate solutions aimed at changing the quality of life for women and girls in Moldova", said Iurie Mocanu, Deputy General Director of the National Bureau of Statistics.

Hence, the statistical profiles analyzed what unites and distinguishes women and girls in rural areas, why women leave to work abroad and how they achieve their potential away from home, and also what benefits women with special health condition have and how they can get involved in production and provision of goods and services. Other questions answered were: What should women that are victims of violent behavior do? Which skills women possess and how can they put them to good use, such as to allow them to open businesses and become leaders?

"The ten analytical briefs on women we are launching today were requested by women representing various groups. By having these analytical pieces, women will be able to better demand their rights as well as act as a joint force to advocate for concrete policy, legislation and institutional level actions in an evidence based manner", said Ulziisuren Jamsran, Country Representative of UN Women in Moldova.

Doina Munteanu, Head of Programme at UNDP Moldova, mentioned that "The data presented today will help us to gain a better understanding of the benefits, abilities and potential of these women and girls, as well as their contribution to development, the opportunities they have, but also the challenges they face. Hence, this research will enable us to contribute in order to pursue visible changes not to leave any woman or girl behind and to value each ones’ potential for the sustainable development of our society."

The analytical notes highlight that stereotypical thinking, intolerance and resistance hinders or even blocks sometimes the achievement of the full potential of women and girls in Moldova:

1. Older women: 6 out of 10 older women are in villages and live longer than men, but have a worse health condition, also because they cannot afford to access better health care. Hence, this makes them dependent on relatives, friends or social services, and are affected by loneliness (4 out of 10 are widows).
2. Women with disabilities:  Only 2 out of 10 girls and women with disabilities have a 45-60% of their labour capacity, 7 out of 10 possess 25-40% of it. 6 women and girls from 10 have a secondary or vocational education. At the same time, every 5th woman is celibate (without a family) and is vulnerable. 2 out of 3 households cannot afford to eat meat or fish at least once in three days. 1 in 4 households has no money to cover needed medicines for the woman/women with disabilities in their family.
3. Women which are HIV+: 7 out of 10 women newly diagnosed with HIV are young ones, under 39. The virus is predominantly sexually transmitted, 6 out of 10 HIV+ women being infected by their partner. Women are discouraged to give birth and the information about their health status is not kept confidential. Over half of them are still suffering from viral hepatitis. Their children, also HIV+, would be denied admission at a local school in the case of two-thirds of respondents.
4.  Women migrant workers: Most women working abroad have higher education, specialized or vocational studies. 7 out of 10 are young women, 9 out of 10 financially support their family and 6 out of 10 have obtained work experience and skills as a result of migration. However, 1 in 3 returned women were healthier prior to leaving the country. Only 1 in 5 young migrant women (between 15-34 years) have an employment contract. For each 3rd migrant women, the family was torn apart or children were left behind.
5. Women in rural areas: Women in rural areas have an average age of 39 years and the average life expectancy is of 74 years. Half of them have a university degree, a specialized or vocational education. 6 out of 10 are employed, having a salary and the remaining 4 are self-employed. Women in rural areas suffer twice as much of chronic diseases, compared to women living in urban areas, and they require continuous treatment. a third of them giving up going to the doctor, out of which every 4th does so due to lack of money. The most poverty affected are women living in rural areas and surviving out of their retirement pension.
6. Roma girls and women: More than half of Roma girls and women have a primary, secondary, vocational or higher education. Two-thirds of Roma women assessed their health status as good and very good. Every 4th Roma woman is economically active and every 6th one is employed. At the same time, every 5th Roma girl/woman experienced a miscarriage at least once. Only 4 out of 10 have an insurance policy, while 8 out of 10 do not go to see the doctor due to lack of money. 8 out of 10 work in the informal sector.
7.  Women in market economy and business: 3 out of 10 employed women are young (between 15-34 years) and 6 out of 10 are of working age (between 35-64 years). 3 out of 10 have higher and vocational or specialized education. 6 out of 10 are employed in the public sector. 3 out of 10 are highly skilled professionals and 4 out of 10 are low-skilled and skilled workers. Half of the employed women with higher education are concentrated in the central region and in the capital, Chisinau. Women occupy only 1 out of 4 leadership positions in companies. Only a third of self-employed workers have a university degree, a professional or specialized/expert education.
8. Women involved in decision-making: Every second leader is a woman, and half of them are young and at a fertile age (15-44 years). 7 out of 10 women in a leadership position have a higher education diploma. At the same time, from 10 positions in public sector held by women, 2 are in leadership and 8 are in executive roles. Women occupy only 1 out of 5 public dignity functions (including 43% in the judicial sector, and 29% in the prosecution sector), a quarter of officials of the customs service or defense and national security (the military). 3 out of 10 respondents consider that women cannot practice certain professions (due to so-called biological differences) and 2 consider that women are unable to hold management positions.
9. Women in elected and appointed positions: 6 out of 10 leaders from public administration, healthcare and education are women. 2 out of 3 women hold leadership positions in the public service sector and 1 in 3 occupy senior positions. In 2014, women filled a quarter of the top 5 positions on electoral lists (parliamentary elections) and between 23%-35% of candidates in local elections are women (from mayor to local councilor / district / municipal). Only 1 in 10 women are MPs, executive officials and heads of public administration. Women hold only every 4th position as a civil servant. 1 in 3 persons has a higher rate of confidence in women that hold a position in Government and Parliament. Each 4th respondent believes that women are not promoted to higher positions.
10.  Women as victims of violence: During their lifetime, 7 out of 10 adult women (between 45-59 years), 6 out of 10 women with higher education women experienced at least one form of violence from their partner. 1 from 10 adult women (35-59 years) have suffered from all types of violence from their partners. More than half of women are victims of psychological abuse. Every second female victim suffered multiple cases of physical violence. One in five adult women (35-59 years) is a victim of sexual offence. From 10 women victims of violence from others than their partners, 5 were abused by their parents, and 3 by their siblings.

The statistical profiles were developed by four researchers, based on data analysis from the National Office of Statistics and from other official and independent sources.

The products contribute to the achievement of the target aiming to increase the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data, disaggregated by characteristics relevant in national contexts – target included in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.  The 2030 Development Agenda was adopted unanimously by all UN member states in September 2015 and comprises 17 Global Goals, aiming to fight poverty, inequality and climate change.