Today, more and more girls are choosing to build their futures in STEAM fields—science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. For Silvia Andronic, a researcher and university lecturer in physics at the Technical University of Moldova, this shift is both encouraging and essential. She believes that access to education, supportive teachers, and strong female role models can play a decisive role in shaping a young woman’s path toward a career in STEAM.

In the village of Colibași from Cahul raion, a women-led initiative is helping unite the entire community. With support from Switzerland, through the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) and UN Women, the village created an outdoor fitness and recreation area that has become a strong example of community building through healthy living, equal access to opportunities, and inclusive public services. Today, more than 5,000 women, men, young people, seniors, and people with disabilities have free access to the sports facilities.

An increasing number of women are choosing careers in the defense sector, including Major of Justice Stela Alexandrov, a legal officer within the Ministry of Defense. For her, pursuing a military career was a natural step, inspired by her older brother, who serves as a police officer. “I wanted to prove that professionalism, discipline, and integrity are not determined by gender”, says Stela Alexandrov.

Nearly 3,000 people across the Republic of Moldova have taken part over the past two and a half years in activities promoting gender equality, preventing violence, and challenging stereotypes through the second phase of the EU4GenderEquality regional programme, implemented across the Eastern Partnership countries, including the Republic of Moldova. The programme’s impact and achievements were presented during a closing event that brought together public authorities, civil society organizations, and development partners representatives, as well as experts and programme beneficiaries.

Gender norms and stereotypes continue to shape the educational choices of young people, contributing to deeply gender-segregated sectors. Fields such as education, healthcare, and social protection have become predominantly feminized, while information and communication technologies (ICT), construction, and engineering remain largely male-dominated. In an economy increasingly driven by innovation and technology, the equal participation of girls and women in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) is no longer simply an educational aspiration, it is a strategic necessity for building transferable skills, sustainable development, and economic competitiveness.

A new nursery group was inaugurated at the "Licurici" Kindergarten in the town of Nisporeni, offering young families, especially women the opportunity to return to the workforce or studies sooner after maternity leave.

Today marked the official launch of the Women’s Caucus in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, XII Legislature - a cross-party initiative bringing together women Members of Parliament from all parliamentary factions around a shared commitment to advancing gender equality, strengthening women’s political leadership, and promoting gender-responsive legislation.

Universities in the Republic of Moldova have taken an important step toward strengthening a safe academic environment, following the approval by the Ministry of Education and Research of a Framework on the prevention, reporting and response to cases of sexual harassment in higher education institutions. The document establishes a clear and effective mechanism for the prevention, identification, reporting and resolution of sexual harassment cases, both in physical spaces and in the online environment.

For many mothers in the Republic of Moldova, a lack of childcare services can mean having to give up a job, further education, or a new opportunity. In Cahul, the child-friendly room at the Inotek Center provides real support to women attending the Center's courses and its employees.

In the Moldovan village of Varnița – located within the country’s security zone near the city of Bender, which is under the control of Transnistria’s de facto authorities – Marcela Mastac and Andrei Gramatschii have transformed their backgrounds in public communication and industrial design into a small family business that crafts handmade wooden toys. What started as a single toy made for a friend has grown into GUGA GAGA, a brand rooted in quality, sustainability, and care.

Women entrepreneurs and their contribution to economic development took center stage in Ungheni during the first regional dialogue organized as part of the “Fii pe val. Consumă produs acasă” campaign. Through its involvement, UN Women supports the promotion of women entrepreneurs and highlights their role in the local and national economy.

A new crèche group has opened at Kindergarten No. 1 “Guguță” in Trușeni commune, offering children aged 1 to 3 improved conditions for care and early childhood development. The new service also supports mothers in returning to the labour market.

Three women entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova were recognized for their innovative business ideas during the third edition of the “Ellevator. Female Founders Conference”, which brought together more than 100 women entrepreneurs, business founders, startup creators, and women leaders from diverse fields.

The Republic of Moldova is making tangible progress in strengthening its justice and protection systems for women and girls who experience sexual violence. The country’s first Integrated Regional Service for women survivors of sexual violence is improving how survivors access safe, timely, and equitable support.

As the Republic of Moldova faces growing demographic pressures, well-targeted investments in human capital are emerging as a key response to strengthening the country’s economic and social resilience. This message was highlighted during the High-Level Conference on Social Rights, held in Chișinău and organized by the Council of Europe, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, UNFPA, UN Women, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

During the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), held from 9 to 19 March in New York, the Republic of Moldova presented its progress in strengthening protection for survivors of gender-based violence and improving women’s access to justice. CSW70 is held at a time when equal access to justice continues to be an unmaterialized promise for many women and girls. Globally, women enjoy only 64 per cent of the legal rights available to men, leaving them vulnerable to discrimination. At this pace, it would take 286 years to close the legal gap.

Children in Cahul will benefit from improved care and early childhood development conditions following the renovation and equipping of the “Steluțele” crèche group at Kindergarten No. 9 “Scufița Roșie”. The newly upgraded space provides a safe, child-friendly and inclusive environment for children, while parents, especially mothers, will have greater support to return to work or seek employment. A total of 20 children from the community, including refugee children from Ukraine, will benefit from the improved conditions.

Ensuring women’s equal access to justice is essential for protecting human rights, upholding the rule of law, and advancing gender equality. As governments and civil society gathered for the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) taking place from 9 to 19 March, the UN Women regional report on access to justice in Europe and Central Asia offers a vital assessment of Moldova’s progress and the structural challenges that continue to impede women’s rights.

UN Women Moldova announces the launch of the International Women’s Day 2026 campaign under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” - an initiative calling to ensure that the legal protections women are entitled to are translated into lived experiences. The campaign also aligns with the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), which focuses on strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, providing global momentum to move beyond commitments toward concrete systemic change.

UN Women Moldova presented the results of the first study on women entrepreneurs’ access to finance in the Republic of Moldova, highlighting both opportunities and constraints in accessing financial resources. The study is relevant for policymakers and regulators, as well as financial service providers, serving as a shared evidence base for measurable interventions. The findings were presented during the “Access to Finance as an Element of Economic Justice: What Works, What Is Missing, and Recommendations for Ensuring Equitable Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs” event, organized by UN Women Moldova in partnership with the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Moldova (AFAM).