About 300 vulnerable women who became victims of domestic violence will be able to benefit from placement services within a project that was launched on July 28 and will last for a year, starting with September 1, 2011, Info-Prim Neo reports. During the launch, UNFPA Moldova Deputy Representative Boris Galca said that family violence is a very serious phenomenon that represents a violation of the fundamental human rights. Violence is mainly used in families with a low economic level and different social statuses, but most of the victims come from rural areas and socially unprivileged families. Boris Galca said the facilitation of the women’s economic independence will lead to a reduction in the number of cases of violence and improved quality of life. The project is intended for vulnerable women from rural areas, who are poor, isolated, have a low education level and at least one child, do not work, are victims or potential victims of domestic violence, depend financially on the husband or relatives. The women selected for the project will benefit from consultancy and professional training services. Those with initiative will receive mini-grants of up to US$500 to purchase accessories and equipment needed to provide such services as dressmaking, hairdressing, and manicure. Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Ana Vasilachi said the project is an example of concerted effort made by the Government, civil society, the businesses and international community, which is aimed at supporting the women subjected to violence. “Studies show that only a financially independent woman can consider herself free and powerful and has safe levers to oppose resistance,” she said. The project will be implemented in four districts through four local nongovernmental organizations, including the Tighina Association of Psychologists, the Cahul Association of One-Parent Families, the Balti Family Crisis Center “Sotis”, and the Drochia Public Association “Artemida”. According to recent studies, each fourth woman in Moldova is a victim of domestic violence - physical, sexual, psychological or economic. Only a part of the cases of violence are recorded officially. The Economic Empowerment of Vulnerable Women in Moldova Project is implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with support from Orange Foundation Moldova and in partnership with the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family. The total budget of the project is US$105,000, US$80,000 of which was provided by Orange Foundation Moldova, while US$25,999 by the UNFPA.