Speech of the Resident Coordinator a.i. of UN Moldova on the launch of the 16 days of activism against women and girls campaign

Dear colleagues, partners, and friends,

• Today, we came together to launch the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence—a global movement that unites voices and actions to end violence against women and girls, in all its forms.
• Under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the UNiTE by 2030 campaign calls for global but also local actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations to end violence against women and girls, once and for all.
• While significant progress has been made over the last 30 years with strengthened laws, services and prevention strategies, the world is failing to eliminate violence against women which remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world with 1 in 3 women experiencing violence across their lifetimes.
• This year’s focus is on one of the fastest-growing forms of violence – digital violence against all women and girls. Under the unifying slogan “Moldova fără Violență” (Moldova without Violence) and thematic message #NOEXCUSE for digital violence., we remind everyone that digital violence is a real-world violence. Its impacts are profound, affecting women’s safety, dignity, and participation in society.
• In Moldova, more than half of women (65%) aged 18 and older who are active online have experienced some form of digital violence in their lifetime. These attacks do not remain in virtual space; they have real consequences, sometimes escalating to physical violence. Until now, the law did not fully recognize these acts as crimes. But due to joint efforts of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), UN Moldova (UN Women and UNFPA), the Council of Europe Office, and civil society organizations, the new legal amendments (to enter in force in February 2026) define digital violence as any act of harm committed through information technologies or electronic communications, offering stronger protection for women and girls suffering digital abuse.
• Today, we call on everyone – national and local authorities, private sector, tech companies, media, and individuals—to take responsibility. Violence against women and girls can and must be prevented.  
• We need to continue acting together and standing in solidarity. We need to invest in comprehensive strategies, partnership with women’s rights organizations, and allocate sufficient budgets for prevention and support services.  Ultimately, we need to continue advocating for the elimination of violence both online and offline.
• The 16 Days campaign is an opportunity to renew our commitments, demand accountability, and take action. As we the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, let us remember - gender equality and women’s rights are essential for peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable Moldova.