PM says Moldova to be able to edify stronger, more consolidated society only by giving full rights to girls, women

Chisinau, 25 April /MOLDPRES/ - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the government, parliament, La Strada International Centre, Women’s Law Centre, have launched a campaign of raising awareness and social mobilization against the sexual violence, titled, Spring in Life. Set Free, on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. Over 100 people – representatives of the diplomatic corps, physicians, psychologists, social assistants, policemen and volunteers, gathered at a flash-mob, in order to convey messages of support to survivors of the sexual violence, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.               

Attending the event, Prime Minister Dorin Recean appreciated the backing of international organizations, which help Moldova consolidate and develop services of support for the violence victims, noting the importance of carrying out the programmes on rehabilitation and prevention. At the same time, according to the PM, the national programme on the prevention and combating violence against women and domestic violence, recently approved by the cabinet, includes concrete measures meant to ensure the access to services, additional protection to victims and to fight against the phenomenon of domestic violence in Moldova.       

„The violence of any kind has neither excuse, nor justification – I urge you to be aware of and convey this message. We cannot edify a prosperous society, when violence is among us. This is the problem of the entire society and it is our responsibility to mobilize, in order to combat together a phenomenon which cannot be tolerated,’’ Prime Minister Dorin Recean said.    

UNFPA Resident Representative in Moldova Nigina Abaszada stressed the role of the campaign in enhancing the degree of awareness and informing for the survivors of the sexual violence, in the promotion of sympathy on behalf of services providers and fostering of survivors’ voice through professionals. ‘’Only together, we can protect and save girls and women from the phenomenon of sexual violence and only in this way, we will be able to contribute for them to have a free life, they should lead with dignity,’’ Nigina Abaszada said.      

In the last years, Moldova has made significant progress in the prevention and combating of the sexual violence. At the same time, the phenomenon stays an acute problem in the country. Because of the lack of information on the services available, survivors girls and women remain without the support they need and most cases are not reported. According to statistics, at the world level, one of 10 women suffered from a form of sexual violence starting from the age of 15 years and one of 20 was raped.    

Photo: Government