Addressing violence against women in the Republic of Moldova: Exploring and learning from local solutions
Background
The pilot project in the Republic of Moldova has effectively worked with diverse government and civil society partners to localize the National Strategy on Prevention and Combating Violence Against Women (2018-2023). It has designed, implemented and evaluated a Local Action Plan (LAP) to address violence against women in Chirsova, a multi-ethnic community in the Autonomous Territorial Unit (ATU) of Gagauzia.
Developed through a participatory process under the leadership of a multi-disciplinary team, the LAP committed to several concrete actions, including job creation and establishing a women’s Safe Space where gender-based violence (GBV) survivors and impacted community members can access psychological, legal and social assistance services. Established in 2020 with government support, the Safe Space is the first centre of its kind in ATU Gagauzia, which has a population of 140,000 people. Through the project, 20 percent of GBV survivors who received support at the Safe Space in Chirsova found a job. In response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Safe Space has been expanded to provide safe accommodation and mental health services to Ukrainian refugees.
The participatory local planning process to end GBV was institutionalized (Decree of the Chirsova Council #50-H/X as of 09.10.2018), the first time the National Strategy on Prevention and Combatting Violence against Women (2018-2023) has been localized in the country.
Knowledge Products and Videos:
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Knowledge Product: Local Action to End Gender-based Violence in Moldova
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Knowledge Product: Five Steps to Prevent Gender-based Violence: Participatory Planning at the Local Level
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Knowledge Product: Addressing GBV in Moldova in Times of Crisis: Local Best Practices
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UNDP blog: How to mobilize thousands of people to get involved in preventing domestic violence
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UNDP blog: Men and women from Gagauzia region are better informed about how to prevent gender-based violence
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UNDP blog: Ten communities from Gagauzia region embark on preventing domestic violence project
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Video: Tour of Centre for supports of GBV survivors from Gagauzia
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Video: A benefit performance in support of the survivors of gender-based violence was presented in Chisinau