Women in Moldova face discrimination and inequality in the social, economic and political life. They have reduced effective opportunities to take part in the decision-making process in the public and private sectors, says an alternative report presented at the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The report of the state is examined today in Geneva within the 75th session of the UN Committee, IPN reports.
At the February 17 meeting prior to today’s session, representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office presented their opinions on the issue. According to the ombudsman’s report, the national legal framework on equality between women and men meets the international commitments. However, its implementation leaves to be desired, while the women face discrimination and inequality.
The report says the Moldovan authorities adopted measures to more actively engage the women in public life. The electoral legislation was amended to stipulate the minimum gender representation quota of 40% for lists of candidates in parliamentary and local elections. Nevertheless, statistics show the measures taken by the state are not sufficient for engaging women in the public and political life.
There are gender stereotypes and gender-based patriarchal mentality as regards the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family. According to the study “Men and Gender Equality in the Republic of Moldova” of 2015, 90.5% of the men and 81.5% of the women consider housework is the most important work for a woman.
The report says the use of violence against women and girls is one of the most often forms of violation of human rights in Moldova. 63% of the women in Moldova were subject to a particular type of violence (mental, physical or sexual) by the partner during their lifetime. But only 8.4% of the abused women reported the case to the police.
In the report for the CEDAW, the ombudsman notes the Republic of Moldova hasn’t ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. The Government approved the bill to ratify the Convention on December 27, 2019, but with reservations towards article 30 (Compensation), §2 and article 59 (Residence status).
