“16 Days Campaign” starts first activities

Winrock International, in partnership with the local non-governmental organization “Casa Marioarei”, operates several activities within the annually international campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence”. The agenda of the campaign includes trainings, round tables and media events. The aim of the campaign is to increase public awareness on the phenomenon of violence against women and its consequences and promote public and private dialogue about methods of eliminating all forms of violence against women. Within the frameworks of round tables participants are to discuss upon a draft law on countering domestic violence, which includes mechanisms of providing financial support for assisting victims of domestic violence from rural regions of Moldova. The “16 days” campaign has been initiated in 1991 by Women's Global Leadership Institute. Participants have chosen the day of November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and December 10, Human Rights Day with the purpose of drawing a symbolic link between violence against women and the human rights, as well as emphasize upon the fact that the respective violence represents a violation of human rights. At its 16th year, this year’s campaign slogan is “Celebrate 16 Years of 16 Days: Advance Human Rights – End Violence Against Women.” The Campaign has harnessed the efforts of approximately 1,700 organizations in 130 countries to date. In Moldova, Winrock is participating for the second year in a row. Winrock International is a non-profit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. “Casa Marioarei” is a Moldovan NGO and a shelter providing protection to women and children, who are victims of domestic violence. The activities within the campaign are implemented in partnership with several NGOs from Moldova, being financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and OSCE Mission to Moldova.