The difference in earnings between women and men has had a negative trend in the last few years, with the annual income loss for women estimated at over 17,000 lei in 2020, has found the Women’s Commission of the Moldovan Labor Unions Confederation CNSM.
The pay gap directly affects the size of pensions that women will receive upon retirement. In addition to financial differences, various forms of discrimination and violence continue to seriously affect women in Moldova. In rural areas, 7 in 10 women suffer some form of violence. And the pandemic has accentuated gender stereotypes. The findings were presented by the CNSM Women’s Commission during a workshop on Tuesday.
The Commission’s chairperson Liuba Rotaru welcomed the recent ratification by the Moldovan Parliament of the Istanbul Convention, whereby Council of Europe member states pledge to combat violence against women. Liuba Rotaru said that labor unionists have an important role in informing and raising awareness of society to curb this phenomenon. In this respect, the Commission will support the United Nations’ “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” Campaign.
CNSM vice president Petru Chiriac stated that the proposals of women unionists will be included in the draft CNSM Strategy for 2022-2027, in the section “Gender equality in labor unions”. “Unfortunately, women are seriously affected by such phenomena as poverty, violence and discrimination. Over 70 percent of Moldovan migrants are women. In addition, the pandemic crisis has further exacerbated these phenomena, with a major negative impact on women. CNSM will promote, at all levels, the importance of protecting women in society”, declared Petru Chiriac.
Attending the workshop, MP Doina Gherman stressed that, although Moldova has seen important achievements in terms women’s representation in the government, the situation of women remains precarious, especially in villages.
The participants in the event also discussed the need to improve national legislation on gender equality, increase women’s participation in decision-making, develop women’s capacities to start their own businesses, create more centers to assist victims of domestic violence, combat stereotypes in society regarding gender equality, and implement measures to prevent any forms of violence against women.
