In a world where life seems to move faster every day and family decisions are increasingly shaped by uncertainty; there are couples who no longer focus on “how many children do we have?” but rather on “how do we raise them?” The story of Ecaterina and Nicolae Jigău is one of them — a story about conscious choices, balance, and a genuine partnership built over time.The two have known each other, quite literally, their whole lives. They have been together since middle school, went through important stages of life side by side, including a period spent abroad, and after returning home, decided to officially start their family journey together.Ecaterina and Nicolae are both professionally active, so they share household responsibilities and childcare equally. Photo: @UNFPA Moldova/Eugeniu Grăjdianu
 Ecaterina is also known for launching a parenting blog in 2013 — a space where she documented family memories and shared their experiences. Today, she works as a communications and public relations manager. Her husband works for a company specializing in the production and export of dried fruits, nuts, and organic products.Their family includes two children — Bogdan (11) and Nicoleta (7) and a life that, while not free of challenges, is built on a carefully negotiated balance, day by day.The Jigău couple believe that what truly matters is not the number of children, but the quality of time spent with them. Photo:@UNFPA Moldova/Eugeniu Grăjdianu
 Deciding to have children: Between desire and realityEcaterina says they both come from families with three children, but that did not determine their own choice or create pressure to follow the same model.“My husband has two brothers, and I have two sisters. From the beginning, we wanted one or two children; two felt perfect. After having our first child, we realized that financially and emotionally, raising more children would be very difficult.”Their perspective is not unique. Although many people in Moldova still believe that the ideal family has two or three children, demographic reality tells a different story. According to the Generations and Gender Survey (Wave II), Moldova’s total fertility rate in 2024 was 1.66 children per woman — below the level needed to maintain a stable population.Although many people in Moldova consider the ideal family to be one with two or three children, an increasing number of couples are choosing to have one or two children. @Photo: UNFPA Moldova/Eugeniu Grăjdianu
For the Jigău family, the decision was mainly guided by the wish to offer their children a stable and thoughtfully built environment.“For us, two children means the golden middle. We can provide everything they need. Children require a lot of emotional involvement, and for that reason, two is perfect for us.”Family Planning: A shared decision, tot an individual responsibilityBehind this decision was another important choice — conscious family planning.“Both pregnancies were planned. Before our first child, we did all the necessary tests and prepared in advance before trying to conceive. We did the same before our second child — medical tests, vitamins, everything needed. My husband also did tests so we could both be prepared.”For them, family planning changes the traditional perspective: responsibility does not belong only to the woman, but equally to both partners.At the same time, Ecaterina admits they did not use specialized family planning services at the time.“We didn’t go to free family planning centers. Honestly, we didn’t even know they existed.”Today, couples in Moldova can access family planning services free of charge through primary healthcare centers and reproductive health offices.These services are available thanks to support from international partners, including United Nations Population Fund, which has helped improve access to reproductive health services. Reproductive health centers have been modernized, and family doctors have been trained to provide counselling on contraception and family planning.A father who does not “Help” — He participatesIf there is one pillar of their family, Ecaterina says, it is the father’s involvement.“My husband is an example. He attended every ultrasound appointment. He always made time for it — there was never a discussion about whether he should go or not. Even more importantly, the very first moments of our children’s lives were spent in his arms. I had C-sections, and he stayed with me in the hospital the whole time. The children’s first physical contact was with their father.”Nicolae was actively involved throughout both pregnancies, attending all ultrasound appointments. Photo: @UNFPA Moldova/Eugeniu GrăjdianuThat involvement did not stop after birth — it became part of everyday family life.“He makes breakfast, takes them to activities, attends Bogdan’s basketball games, reads to them before bedtime, and they love playing chess together. He is very present in their lives. Since we are both working, we share everything equally. When one of us can’t do something, the other steps in. We do it together.”Their personal experience reflects a wider social change. According to the same survey, the share of families where household responsibilities are equally shared has doubled — from 12.7% in 2020 to 25.8% in 2024.In 2024, the share of families where household responsibilities are shared equally has doubled. Photo: @UNFPA Moldova/Eugeniu GrăjdianuNicolae also benefited from paternity leave, introduced in Moldova in 2016. Since 2024, it has been extended to 15 fully paid calendar days, which fathers can use during the child’s first year of life.This is part of a broader package of family-friendly measures implemented by the Government, with support from international partners including UNFPA and civil society organizations. These include keeping both salary and maternity allowance during leave, more flexible childcare leave options that can be shared between parents, flexible work arrangements, and expanded childcare services for children under three.Real Life: Costs, compromises and choicesBeyond emotional balance, family life also comes with financial challenges.“Life in Moldova, especially in Chișinău, is very expensive. Everything moves at an alarming pace. Extra-curricular activities are costly. Bogdan studies English and plays basketball, while Nicoleta studies music. These are choices that require effort and money. Both parents need to work to afford raising two children and giving them opportunities after school.”Both Ecaterina and Nicolae work to provide their two children with good living conditions and educational activities. Photo: @UNFPA Moldova/Eugeniu Grăjdianu
This financial pressure directly affects decisions about family size.“Income was one of the reasons — though not the only one — why we decided to stop at two children. My health also mattered, since both births were by C-section. Honestly, we feel comfortable as a family of four.”Ecaterina says progress has been made in supporting families with children, but some gaps remain.“It’s good that there are now more public daycare options, especially for young families. We didn’t have access to free daycare back then. Financial allowances have also increased. But there are still areas that need investment — healthcare, for example, where waiting times can be long, and many people choose private services instead. It would also help if there were more affordable extracurricular activities in kindergartens and schools — dance, volleyball, basketball — even for a symbolic fee. That would especially help mothers, who are often still the main caregivers, to work full-time without needing to leave work early. Youth centers start at age 14, so there are not enough options for younger children.”Raising children: Respect, not controlThe way they raise their children says perhaps the most about the family’s values.“A child is not an object that you create and then shape however you want. We treat our children like individuals. There is no violence in our home — only clear boundaries and dialogue. If they face a problem, we tell them to come to us. Everyone makes mistakes; what matters is learning from them. At the same time, we encourage independence and responsibility.”The Jigău family reflects a growing trend: the two-child family remains the most common model, but increasingly it is the result of conscious decisions adapted to everyday realities.It becomes less about how many children you can have and more about how much you can offer; less about how much you want and more about how much time and support you have.Their own example says it best:“We do everything together. The way we live is the example we give our children. They see what happens in the family and naturally learn from it.”Their story shows clearly that balance does not happen by accident. It is built — through informed choices, mutual involvement, and support both within the family and from the state.For more families to be able to make conscious and confident decisions, public policies, family planning services, and social support need to go hand in hand — offering not only options, but also the confidence people need to stay, to have children when they feel ready, to make informed choices, and to truly feel supported.

Companies in the Republic of Moldova are increasingly integrating family-friendly policies to support women’s return to the labour market and create conditions that help employees better balance professional and family life.The growing interest in support services for families and employees — including workplace childcare facilities and flexible working arrangements — comes amid the need to encourage women’s participation in the labour market and improve staff retention.One such example is ,,Bucuria S.A.” which has joined the initiative promoted by UNFPA in Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova , aimed at developing family-friendly workplace policies. Bucuria is one of the 25 private companies in Moldova planning, over the next two years, to adopt family-friendly workplace policies, including the development of a mini childcare facility for children aged 0–3 and a psycho-emotional support group for employees.On the occasion of the International Day of Families, UNFPA and Bucuria symbolically marked this partnership through an event organized at the company’s headquarters, bringing together employees and their children to celebrate and discuss future perspectives.“It has been proven that workplace support policies and measures help families achieve a real balance between professional and personal life,” said Karina Nersesyan, UNFPA Representative in Moldova. “At the same time, these policies represent a win-win strategy for both employers and employees: flexible and hybrid work arrangements help reduce staff turnover and absenteeism, workplace childcare services facilitate women’s return to the labour market and talent attraction, while paternity leave increases women’s chances of returning to work after maternity leave.”“We are honoured to join this partnership with UNFPA and contribute to the development of family-friendly policies within Bucuria S.A.,” said Ecaterina Cechina, Executive Director of Bucuria S.A., highlighting the importance of this initiative for the company’s organizational culture and employee wellbeing. “We want to provide our employees with an environment where they feel supported, can harmoniously combine professional and family life, and where women can return to work with confidence, without having to choose between family, children and career advancement.”The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova, Sergiu Harea, noted that the involvement of the private sector in promoting family-friendly policies is becoming increasingly important in a changing economic and demographic context:“Through this partnership, we aim to encourage and support companies that invest in the well-being of their employees and in creating a more inclusive working environment for families. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry will continue to promote and give visibility to these initiatives on its institutional platforms, so that good practice examples can inspire more companies in the Republic of Moldova to adopt family-friendly policies.”Currently, official data show that only 46% of parents with children under the age of two are economically active, while the employment rate of women with children under six remains low — only half of them are employed. At the same time, women take on the majority of household responsibilities in 68% of couples, creating a “double burden” that limits their economic and professional opportunities.“I have been working at Bucuria factory for 13 years, and knowing that, while I am at work, my child is in a safe place, cared for and engaged in activities, would mean a lot to me. I would feel much calmer and be able to focus better on my work. That is why we support this project and are happy that Bucuria factory wants to create such a space for employees,” said Elena Mîrza, an employee of Bucuria S.A.“This is a very welcome project for both the company’s employees and their children, as safe spaces will be created where children can stay securely and engage in activities appropriate for their age. Currently, parents are often forced to leave their children at home with older siblings, which creates stress and may pose risks for children,” said Alexandru, Head of the Occupational Safety and Health Department at Bucuria factory and father of two daughters.The “Generations and Gender” (GGS) Study (UNFPA, 2024) confirms that these barriers are driven both by persistent gender stereotypes and limited access to childcare services. In this context, expanding childcare services and family-friendly infrastructure becomes a public policy priority, while the private sector can complement state efforts by offering concrete support solutions for employees with young children.The UNFPA–Bucuria partnership is part of the project ,,Enhancing women’s resilience and excellence through inclusive and family-friendly employment opportunities”, implemented by UNFPA and UN Women with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). The project complements public sector interventions, including the national programme “Working Parents – Children in Crèches” implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

“We spent the night in a bomb shelter,” she recalls. “Then the children came to get us, grabbed our suitcases, and we left.”At 72 years old, Olga fled Ukraine together with her husband, Semyon, leaving behind decades of work, memories, and a life they had built together. They found refuge in Rîbnița, on the left bank of the Nistru River, where relatives were able to offer them temporary support during an uncertain time.“We arrived during a difficult time that we hadn’t expected at all,” Olga says quietly.Before the war, Olga was the main accountant at a private company for over 20 years. She and Semyon also worked at the same factory earlier in their lives — a place where they first met. Today, like many older people forced to flee the war, Olga is no longer employed, but she remains determined to move forward.“For me, the most important thing is health,” she says. “I decided to walk 8,000 steps every day — or at least every other day.”Olga fled the war in Ukraine and found safety in Ribnita.Finding accommodation proved difficult. Olga and Semyon had to move apartments twice, each move taking an emotional and financial cost.“Our utility bills practically tripled,” she explains. “That was, of course, a lot of work for us.”Stability finally came through rental assistance provided by IOM, with financial support from the European Union. The programme offers cash for rent to vulnerable families who have fled the war in Ukraine and are now residing on the left bank of the Nistru River, helping them secure safer and more dignified living conditions.“Of course, it’s going to be very hard, and we’re very grateful,” Olga says. “It’s an old apartment, but it has good energy.”Thanks to the programme, Olga and Semyon can focus less on survival and more on rebuilding their daily lives.With the generous financial support of the European Union, IOM Moldova is providing rental assistance to 100 vulnerable families displaced by the full-scale war in Ukraine, helping them meet basic housing needs and regain a sense of stability.Despite the hardship she has endured, Olga refuses to let war define her present. She keeps herself active by attending a sports club and a mosaic art group, where creativity has become both therapy and expression.“I’m just happy that I made it with my own hands,” she smiles. “I worked on this picture for about a month and a half or two.”When she first saw the design, the meaning was immediate.“You know, when I saw it, I said, ‘War.’ And suddenly, a ray of sunshine in the midst of this war.”Learning is another part of Olga’s resilience. She has started studying Romanian — a challenge she embraces with humour and determination.“For example, Bună ziua — Hello, Bună dimineața — Good morning,” she says. “The grammar is complicated, and maybe it’s harder at my age, but it’s good brain training.”She also dreams of returning to something she once loved: writing. Before the war, Olga kept a blog, and she hopes to start again when the time feels right.Like many displaced Ukrainians, Olga follows the news closely. The hope of returning home remains strong.“We really want to go home,” she says. “We’re hopeful. We hope that peace will prevail soon. That’s all we need. And we’ll come back.”Until that day comes, support that restores dignity — a safe home, a sense of routine, the space to create and learn — makes all the difference.For Olga, each day in Rîbnița is another step forward, guided by resilience, hope, and the quiet courage to keep going.

During a mathematics lesson, Andrei looks up from his notebook with a visible sense of relief. Just a few minutes earlier, the problem he was working on had seemed difficult, but after receiving a few suggestions from his classmates, he managed to solve it. At Ion Creangă Theoretical High School, moments like these are part of everyday school life - where students learn to support one another and build trust. Here, inclusion is reflected in the way children, teachers, and parents work together. It is not always easy, but meaningful and lasting relationships are built over time.“The most important thing is to be a good classmate. We learn together, but it is just as important to respect one another,” says Evelina, a ninth-grade student.The school is attended by 563 students, including 26 children with disabilities and special educational needs. For these children, the support of peers and teachers plays a vital role in helping them feel included and more confident in themselves.Nicoleta and Evelina have known Andrei since first grade. Andrei has special educational needs, but this has never prevented them from growing up together and learning that diversity is not a barrier, but a strength.“In our class, every child feels accepted. We support each other and work together. Our teachers encourage us to express our opinions and create a positive atmosphere,” says Nicoleta.Behind this culture of respect stands an active partnership between teachers, students, and parents. The school’s principal, Svetlana Dintiu, who also serves as the school psychologist, believes that an inclusive school begins with the way these relationships are built.“A truly inclusive school is a space where every student feels accepted, valued and supported in reaching their full potential,” she says.To support this approach, teachers regularly participate in training and mentoring programmes that help them better understand each child’s needs and strengthen relationships with families.One of the educators promoting this approach is Zinaida Caraja, Deputy Director for Education. She participated in training sessions focused on strengthening school-family partnerships, organized within the UNICEF project “Empowering children, parents, teachers and communities to promote inclusive education in the Republic of Moldova,” implemented by CCF Moldova in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova and the Republican Center for Psycho-Pedagogical Assistance, with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom.After completing the training, she became a mentor for her colleagues, sharing the methods and approaches she had learned. The results are already evident in closer collaboration between teachers and parents, as well as in a more open and child-centered educational environment.“I understood even better how important partnership with parents truly is. When schools and families work together, children become more confident and are able to progress further,” says Zinaida Caraja.Maria Suvac, a support teacher, also plays an essential role in supporting children’s progress, having worked for eight years with students at the Inclusive Education Resource Center.She speaks with emotion about the small achievements that, over time, help children develop confidence and independence. For her, collaboration with parents is just as important as working directly with students.“You need a great deal of patience and empathy when working with parents,” says Maria Suvac.Parents take part in school activities, maintain constant communication with teachers, and closely follow their children’s progress. Many students are also involved in extracurricular activities - such as dance, painting, embroidery, or modelling - where they further develop their talents and self-confidence.“Parents are open and cooperative, and we work together very well. They are active and genuinely interested in their children’s development,” the teacher adds.For Andrei, Nicoleta, and Evelina, the most important lesson is how to be human - a lesson learned far beyond textbooks. In their classroom, they have learned not to judge without understanding, to communicate openly, and to make an effort to understand one another.This is how inclusion is built at Ion Creangă Theoretical High School - through friendship, collaboration, and respect. These are values that will stay with them long after they leave school.