Project to prevent domestic violence to be held in Gagauzia

Chisinau, 27 May /MOLDPRES/- Ten localities in the Gagauz autonomy will set up multidisciplinary teams to prevent domestic violence and will work out local action plans to reduce this phenomenon. The initiative is part of the project Combating violence against women in the Republic of Moldova: exploring and learning from local solutions, implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with the support of the Republic of Korea.

The project will be implemented in Comrat, Ceadâr-Lunga, Vulcănești and Congaz, Dezghinja, Cioc-Maidan, Baurci, Cazaclia, Copceac and Cișmichioi. This is an extension of a similar activity that takes place since 2018 in Chirsova village, Gagauzia.

The multidisciplinary teams will include social workers, police officers, employees of the education system in the respective localities and representatives of local NGOs and initiative groups. Team members will be trained to act promptly in any case of violence and to identify the best solutions for the protection and safety of survivors of violence and their children.

"The participatory way of planning allows the involvement of several citizens in the decision-making act. At the same time, local plans allow the authorities to allocate and attract resources for the operation of the services needed by the community. These include short-term and long-term activities in various fields of assistance - legal, social, educational, employment - which become commitments after being approved by local council members ", says Vitalie Frecăuțeanu, project coordinator, UNDP Moldova.

"This project allows us to provide effective protection and assistance for all women who suffer from violence. The teams that will work at the local level will provide protection and multispectual help for women who need support to get out of the circle of violence ", says Aliona Cozari, deputy head of the Health and Social Protection Department, Gagauzia.

The project is part of a global UNDP initiative entitled -Eliminating gender-based violence and achieving sustainable development goals. It aims to address the prevention of widespread violence, involving new partners, strategies and sources of funding. In addition to Moldova, the project is implemented in six other countries - Bhutan, Lebanon, Indonesia, Iraq, Peru and Uganda.

photo: UNDP Moldova