Young people from Moldova have participated in a national gender equality mentoring programme

Concluding event for the mentorship programme. Credit: Natalia Rezneac

The aim of the programme was to encourage young people to promote gender equality, tolerance and diversity, by initiating certain projects and local programmes. The participants attended a series of workshops and training sessions, both online and offline, where they gained practical and theoretical knowledge on gender equality, prevention and combating of sexist speech, identification of harassment and abuse, as well as project writing and management in the field of human rights.

As a result of those training sessions, helped by the mentors of the programme, young people applied gained knowledge, by writing certain projects which were evaluated by the mentors, the best ones obtaining small grants to be implemented.

Thus, among 9 implemented projects there are:

• « Empowered business girls » - which encourages women and girls from the Republic of Moldova to harness their potential in business;
• «Stereotypes, prejudices, discrimination and Bullying » - a project aiming at informing young people from Balti and Cimislia about phenomenon mentioned above, how can they be eliminated and avoided;
• “Girls in STEM” - aiming at combating gender stereotypes in STEM, encouraging girls to pursue their careers in hard science;
• « She Fest » - its goal is to fight stereotypes about feminist movement among teenagers;
• “Stand up, People” - it focuses on informing Generation Z about prevention and combating violence against girls and women;
• “A house of a brave girl” – its aim is to inform the inhabitants of Ocnita about abusive relationships and sexual harassment;
• “You are not alone” – a project aiming at supporting survivors of sexual violence in managing their emotional condition after a trauma, by offering a supportive guide as well as specialized services;
• “Without stereotypes. Without violence.” – its aim is to combat stereotypes and sexual violence, by organizing informative activities for young people from Balti and Falesti;
• “Improving communication between teenagers and adults about sexual education” – a project aiming at reducing stigmatization and fears, discomfort and disinformation on sexual education in schools and families, by raising awareness among parents and teachers.

Adam Amberg, Councillor, Head of Cooperation for Development Division within Swedish Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, mentioned « Young people are a priority target public who gets more and more active within our projects. That is why activism and volunteerism within this mentoring programme will be very useful for our further activities implemented at community level. Prevention is a sustainable way to combat gender-based violence and to contribute to creating an inclusive society, that is why this programme will continue to bring long-term impact.»

“This mentoring programme is very precious for UN Women as it focuses on feminist values, intersectionality and diversity. Via workshops and training sessions, youth approached causes of gender inequalities in stereotypes perpetuation of gender-based violence and discrimination. This programme has shown that youth, via their activism and involvement, will contribute to elimination of gender inequalities which still persist in society », Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Country Representative, declared.

Concluding event for the mentorship programme. Credit: Natalia Rezneac

Via this programme, UN Women collaborated with civil society organisations to promote gender equality, positive social norms, respectful personal relationships and to prevent violence against women, by encouraging girls and boys, especially from rural areas, to become agents of change.