In the first ten months of this year, 22 women lost their lives as a result of violence, a figure comparable to last year, when 21 women were killed under similar circumstances during the same period. Authorities acknowledge the need for greater efforts to prevent violence but stress the importance of a shift in societal attitudes. The issue was discussed during public hearings on the activity of the National Agency for the Prevention and Combatting of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, IPN reports.
Viorica Timbalari, Director of the Agency, noted that the number of protection orders for victims of violence increased by 24% in the first ten months of this year. Electronic monitoring systems were implemented in 93% of cases involving protection orders. However, the results remain insufficient. There are still not enough shelters for victims of violence, and more psychological counseling and empowerment programs, including economic empowerment initiatives, are needed. A significant issue is that 80% of women return to their abusers after leaving protective shelters because they have nowhere else to live.
The National Agency is developing a project called The Women's House. Under this initiative, transitional apartments will be provided to women who are victims of violence, offering them a place to stay after the six months they are permitted to remain in specialized shelters. These apartments will allow women to live independently while participating in economic empowerment programs and workforce integration initiatives. The program will launch in Balti in 2025, with the support of development partners and civil society.
Also starting in 2025, work will begin on an interconnected data system that will link multiple institutions to monitor reports of domestic violence. This system will track a woman’s case from the moment she engages with police, social workers, or medical professionals, according to the Agency Director.
Member of Parliament Doina Gherman referenced the Vieru v. Moldova case, in which the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on November 19 condemned Moldova for a femicide resulting from domestic violence. The court found violations of several articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. Gherman questioned whether such cases could be prevented today, given that Moldova has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence. "Violence remains a harsh reality in Moldova, whether in rural or urban areas, and continues to be a national tragedy", she said.
Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labor and Social Protection, stated that significant investments are being made this year in frontline workers. At the beginning of the year, 3,400 cases of violence and child protection were being monitored in the national case management system (excluding Chisinau and Gagauzia). Currently, this number has risen to 24,000. In December, 300 child protection specialists will be deployed to local communities, the minister announced.
The Ombudsman, Ceslav Panico, emphasized the need for greater local-level efforts to combat violence. He also called for an analysis of current legislation and related acts to ensure proper implementation.
On November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the national campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence was launched. The campaign aims to prevent and combat violence against women by raising awareness of violence as a human rights violation, its consequences, and costs, as well as the mechanisms for addressing it at the community and national levels.
