Between October 19 and 21, 2021, the first edition of the International Conference in the field of preventing and combating violence against girls and women and domestic violence took place in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. The event was organised by the Women’s Law Center, the National Coalition “Life without Violence in the Family” and the International Center “La Strada Moldova”. The event was financed by the Swedish Embassy in the Republic of Moldova.
The President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu opened the international conference with the message that “violence against girls and women is the most widespread violation of human rights.”
“Combating violence against girls and women means more opportunities for development for the country and for society as a whole, because with
the more women have access to quality education, the more economically independent women are, the stronger our society is. Currently, in the Republic of Moldova we have many examples of brave women, who have succeeded in various fields. I am glad that the Republic of Moldova has finally managed to ratify the Istanbul Convention – it is an excellent step forward and we will be able to make the effects visible when this document is implemented, ”said Maia Sandu in her speech.
The Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova Katarina Fried said that this conference is a good opportunity to find solutions to end gender-based violence.
“I congratulate the Republic of Moldova for ratifying the Istanbul Convention, a crucial pillar in combating violence. Sweden will continue to support state institutions, provide expertise and assistance, and encourage the involvement of girls and women in the economic, political and decision-making fields, ”said the Swedish ambassador.
In the current context, the Istanbul Convention continues to be the most comprehensive international instrument for preventing and combating all forms of violence against women, said William Massolin, head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau.
“The Council of Europe, together with national and international partners, is committed to providing full support, so that girls and women in the Republic of Moldova can live without fear and without violence,” the European official said.
Our colleague, Simona Voicescu participated together with Mrs. Ana Ravenco, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Bogdan Trandafir, Chief Commissioner of Police, Head of the Office of Minor Sexual Assault within the General Police Directorate of Bucharest and a representative of the General Prosecutor’s Office from Republic of Moldova. The panel spoke about sexual violence, the commitments of the Ministry of Interior and the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Moldova on protecting the lives and integrity of victims of such crimes and good practices of Romania so far.
The topics of the conference were aligned with the 4 pillars of the Istanbul Convention – prevention, protection, prosecution and criminalization and coordinated policies. In total, more than 30 speakers participate in the 8 discussion panels.
With the occasion of this visit to the Republic of Moldova, we also paid a working visit to the National Probation Inspectorate, which deals, among others, with the management of the electronic monitoring system of family aggressors, but also of other categories of persons for whom criminal law provides monitoring by electronic systems (monitoring bracelets).
According to a study in Moldova, at the root of violence are stereotypes or deep-rooted beliefs about the roles of women and men in the family and society. The study shows that 27.7% of men and 17.5% of women believe that a woman must tolerate violence in order to keep her family.
The event reiterated the desire and involvement of both the Presidential Administration and the Government of the Republic of Moldova to take all necessary steps to ensure a safe climate for women and girls in the Republic of Moldova. In this regard, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ana Ravenco, paved the way for an exchange of experience and good practices with Romania regarding the legal framework and the way of managing crimes against sexual freedom and integrity.
We remind that the Republic of Moldova currently has female representation both at the presidency, but also as prime minister and members of the Government and Parliament, a premiere that brought about a radical change of mentality that could be noticed in the first edition of this conference. international.
no replies