Moldova is the only Eastern Partnership country that incorporated a chapter on the protecting and promotion of the rights of the child in the Association Agreement with the European Union. Article 138 of the accord provides for the prevention and combating of all the forms of exploitation, abuse, negligence and violence against children, including by elaborating and strengthening the legal and constitutional framework and by carrying out awareness raising campaigns in this field. These aspects were discussed in a roundtable meeting by experts in child rights promotion, IPN reports.

Daniela Morari, deputy division head at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, stated that the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU is important for improving the situation as regards the observance of children’s rights. “Moldova is the poorest state in Europe and this is evident through the social problems we face. A lot of children are neglected or left in the care of grandparents. The parents of one in five children work abroad and this is worrisome until there is no permanent protection on the part of the state,” she said.

“The Association Agreement is good news not only for the business sector, but also for children. The European Union is a protector of the children,” said Wicher Slagter, head of the Political and Economic Section of the EU Delegation to Moldova.

Mariana Ianachevici, director of the Association for Child and Family Empowerment “AVE Copiii”, said the Association Agreement will enable to invest money in methodological and technical support and in experience exchange between teachers, parents and educators. “This article stipulates a political commitment that will involve the whole society. The steps that Moldova must take based on this accord imply commitments as regards children’s rights,” she stated.

According to UNICEF studies, 76% of the children aged between 2 and 14 in Moldova are subject to corporal punishment or verbal aggression.