Society in the Republic of Moldova is still one full of prejudices, in which stereotypes dominate. A study conducted by the Center “Partnership for Development” shows that the top three most marginalized groups are: LGBT+ people, people infected with HIV/AIDS and former prisoners. The data show a slight improvement in the situation compared to previous periods, but “we should not get drunk on cold water”, say the authors of the research, because a good part of the groups that are usually marginalized continue to be in the area of rejection by the population.
In a news conference hosted by IPN, Natalia Covrig, executive director of the CPD, said that a more obvious improvement is in the case of LGBT+ people for whom the social distance index decreased from 5.6 in 2020 to 3.8 in 2024.
"The value dropped to 3.8, but discrimination persists because society accepts them only as citizens, not as closer relations, family members, friends, etc.," stated Natalia Covrig.
"As a representative of the LGBT community and as a representative of an organization that has been working for 26 years to improve this situation in the country regarding the perception of LGBT people and the respect for the rights of LGB people, I am obviously happy about this improvement. I understand that it is also the fruit of our daily work and that of other LGBT activists in the country, who are very involved in increasing the visibility of LGBT people," said the administrator of GENDERDOC-M Information Center Angelica Frolov.
In her opinion, quality education plays an essential role in improving the situation because, for example, in the case of people with HIV/AIDS, fear comes from the elementary lack of knowledge of the transmission ways. Also, all kinds of false information is circulated about the possibility of changing the sex of a child, which is something impossible.
“Another wave of misinformation started now, that everything is allowed on social media, including hate speech. People who have homophobia and transphobia were glad that they can now say anything on the social media and will not be punished. I want to tell you that it's not exactly like that. Hate speech is prohibited, including online," stated Angelica Frolov.
Elvira Drangoi, a young Roma woman born and raised in the south of Moldova, said that because of bullying, but also because of discriminatory phrases told by teachers, she hid her ethnicity for a very long time. She did this throughout her childhood and adolescence, but over time, enriching her knowledge of the ethnicity and culture of the Roma community, she changed her position.
"Although the reports show an improvement towards the Roma community, my daily experiences and those of my acquaintances show that, in fact, there are particular deep-rooted prejudices and stereotypes," said Elvira Drangoi.
The young woman told that she recently visited a jewelry store and there she was constantly followed by an employee. Because she felt uncomfortable, she decided to leave and, at that moment, the woman asked her to show what she had in her pockets. She asked for the police to be called, but the store’s employees refused. She filed a complaint to the Equality Council, invoking an act of racism in relation to her, and now she is waiting for a solution to the case.
Note: IPN Agency offers the right of reply to persons who consider that they were targeted in the news articles produced based on the statements of the organizers of this press conference, including by facilitating the organization of another press conference under similar conditions.
