Moldova needs urgent interventions, both at the level of national legislative framework in combating the phenomenon of sexual harassment, as well as in strengthening the capacities of institutions mandated through law to investigate, monitor, and prevent cases of abuse in work and education environments. Authorities in the field should take notice in these cases and take urgent measures to stop and prevent the growth of this phenomenon, state the Center “Partnership for Development” and the Women’s Law Center, IPN reports.
According to a press release from the two organizations, the increase in the number of women subjected to heavy sexual harassment at work in the last decade is worrisome. Forms of harassment include sexual solicitation in exchange for promotions, threats, and physical abuse. The growth of this phenomenon proves that current legislation doesn’t provide efficient mechanisms to combat and prevent harassment in work and education environments, leaving persons, especially women, more vulnerable.
Regretfully, Moldova lacks a comprehensive and clear normative framework to regulate victim assistance and protection against sexual harassment. In reference to the harassment case at Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (USMF), which has garnered the attention of the media, experts recommend to amend the Education Code with provisions that will obligate education institutions of any tier to adopt and respect internal procedures against discrimination and sexual harassment within the education system.
Every fifth employed woman in Moldova faces subtle forms of sexual harassment at the workplace, and every four out of 100 face heavy forms of harassment. Furthermore, about 20% of women have been threatened or solicited for sexual relations at the educational institution they attend. In spite of the high frequency of cases of harassment, only 15% of women have reported to being subjected to this form of abuse.
