Women living in poverty, those who are not employed and dependent on social benefits are the most vulnerable to gender-based violence. Thus, the economic empowerment of women could be an effective solution to prevent and combat this phenomenon. These are the conclusions of a study conducted in Gagauzia region by the international expert Elena Bazueva, IPN reports.
In an online event held to present the study, Elena Bazueva said that each third woman in the world and each fourth woman in the EU experienced violence on the part of the life partner at least once in their lifetime. In Moldova, the level of violence against women in 2018 was at 73%. The factors that influence violence against women include the financial dependence, status on the labor market, size and form of the salary or the performed activity. The possession of an own home, level of studies and level of gender equality in the country also affect the spread of violence against women.
The study notes that for women from Gagauzia aged 35-54, the level of unemployment exceeds that of men in the same age category. A positive trend on the national and regional market is the increase in the total number of enterprises. In the case of Gagauzia regions, this rise is also due to businesses relying on human capital: education, health, and social care, art, entertainment, and recreation, all these domains implying employment of women. Also, programs focused on reducing gender segregation in the labor market are being implemented in the region by the associative sector.
The study analyzed the perceptions of gender-based violence. According to the results of a 2018 OSCE survey, every second woman (45%) considers that her friends would agree that “violence against women is often caused by the victim” (for comparison, in European Union countries this indicator is only of 15%). So, the social environment does not intervene in cases of violence, considering them private matters.
The author assessed the possibilities of expanding the economic opportunities of women, concluding that the efficient implementation of legal mechanisms in this field is necessary. Likewise, women should be better informed about gender equality policies, combating violence, and available protection mechanisms, rights, and opportunities.
Irina Vlah, Governor, Bashkan of Gagauzia region, mentioned in the opening of the event that today, humanity needs evolution, not revolution. This requires that the model of government based on pragmatism and constant readiness to use force should be replaced by a model of government based on wisdom, kindness, and the ability to find a compromise even in situations that seem hopeless. “I urge all women to believe in themselves and to learn - and the authorities will take actions to ensure that opportunities for learning are sufficient and accessible,” stated Irina Vlah.
Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova, said the issue of gender-based violence and women’s access to the labor market are indivisible, and there are multiple barriers to that - stereotypes, education, the differences in payroll, access to financing opportunities - they all affect women’s life and influence our society's development. “The promise of the Sustainable Development Goals - to leave no one behind - cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls,” noted Dima Al-Khatib.
The research is part of the project “Combating violence against women in the Republic of Moldova: exploring and learning from local solutions”, implemented by UNDP Moldova and funded by the Republic of Korea.
