The level of gender equality, especially in the political sphere, has increased in the Republic of Moldova. However, this is not the case in the labor market, which is rather defined as predominantly male, including in terms of earnings. Also, the degree of rejection in society of LGBTQ groups, people with HIV, drug users, migrants or people with mental disabilities is higher than in European countries, according to a study on equality conducted by IMAS, IPN reports.

The study was carried out with the support of the Government of Japan through the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS), within the project “Promotion of human security of Ukrainian refugees, third-country nationals and host communities in Moldova through socioeconomic empowerment and inclusion”, implemented by the United Nations Development Program.

According to Doru Petruți, IMAS director general, the study revealed a social framework with quite a lot of problems, besides corruption, such as the very low share and the lowest level of trust in peers – 5%. Also, sociability is quite poorly developed and a fairly small number of centers where people can go to discuss more sensitive problems was indicated. Interethnic communication is at a rather low level and the Roma are below the line of acceptability. For the most part, the idea of immigration or emigration is rejected, but only a figure of 30% support for migrants is indicated.

There is reduced concern of people about the unemployed, people who do not live in Moldova and there is weaker solidarity with Ukrainian refugees. People of Russian ethnicity would be accepted the most as neighbors by the respondents, followed by people who speak a language other than the respondent’s. They would definitely not accept former prisoners, HIV-infected people, LGBTQ people, alcoholics and drug addicts as neighbors. The survey also showed a very high degree of rejection of people with mental and intellectual disabilities.

Andrea Cuzyova, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova, said that the study is a very important milestone for the future effort to promote equality and non-discrimination in Moldova. The findings are even more relevant given the path to the EU.

MP Eugenia Cojocari, a member of the Commission for Human Rights and Interethnic Relations, said that the people start to have more tolerance. Society must continue the same way. The authorities also promote programs to promote greater respect for human rights, such as the program for studying the Romanian language, scholarships for young Roma and others.

The study was carried out on the basis of two surveys: a national survey involving 1,100 respondents and a survey involving representatives of different vulnerable groups.