About 700,000 leaflets on non-violent disciplining practices will be supplied with electricity bills to a large number of families in Moldova in September-November 2013. The action is part of a communication campaign, launched by the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family with the support of UNICEF Moldova, IPN reports.

In an investigative journalists’ press club meeting, Irina Lipcanu, UNICEF representative in Moldova, said the campaign aims to reduce  public tolerance towards violence against children, to promote positive parenting and use of non-violent disciplining practices and to mobilize professionals and communities to report cases of violence. The leaflets will inform parents on how to positively educate their children, which are non-violent disciplining practices, as well as where to go and what to do when they witness a case of violence.

Young people with disabilities from“Motivation” Center were employed for a period of three months to staple leaflets on non-violent disciplining practices to electricity bills. Thus they joined the national effort to address violence against children.

Daniela Samboteanu, head of the National Center for Child Abuse Prevention, said the number of cases of violence against children has decreased over the last few years and this is due to the relevant policies pursued by the state and the fact that these cases are made public and the people are better informed.

UNICEF studies show that violence affects more than half of children up to seven years in Moldova. Moreover, even the little ones up to one year are beaten by their parents.

This action is part of a wider “Protect my childhood” communication campaign, implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family with the support of UNICEF. The campaign will include several information activities at national and local levels, including video and radio spots, public lectures, informative classes, drawing competitions for children in all schools and media activities.

The organizers want that at the end of the campaign the parents are better informed and convinced that not beating, but love and patience help the children to grow up healthy.