A discrepancy between the existing legislative framework and the real observance of women’s rights in society is witnessed in Moldova. In a roundtable meeting, representatives of civil society and the local public administration came together to celebrate 20 years of the signing by Moldova of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, IPN reports.
Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Jan Plesinger said the OSCE Mission supports gender equality as an important element in promoting peace, sustainable democracy and economic development.
Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Sergiu Sanciuc said that Moldova took concrete steps to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. “The women must be represented in economy so that they enjoy possibilities of developing businesses. The difference in salaries is a topical problem. The legal framework does not discriminate against women and men, but, in reality, this discrimination exists because the women are employed in areas where the salary is much lower than in areas where men work,” he stated.
Elena Burca, president of the Association against Domestic Violence “Casa Marioarei”, said that about 1,000 abused and discriminated women come annually to the Association’s center. “Our society considers that the discriminated women bear the blame. So, the women do not dear to seek help from the relatives, police or organizations dealing with the prevention of abuse, violence and discrimination against women in society,” she stated.
The head of the NGO Gender-Centru Valentina Bodrug-Lungu said that Moldova has a broad normative framework that includes a number of policy documents on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. But the discrepancy between theory and practice persists, especially as regards the salary and housework, which limits access to public and political life.
In accordance with the UN regulations, the Government of Moldova must finish the process of adjusting the national legislation to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and adopt special temporary measures for the social sectors where the women are poorly represented and are disadvantaged.