The UN Moldova Family is launching „16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign

United Nations in Moldova, in partnership with public authorities, international organisations and civil society join the UN Secretary-General’s campaign, which marks the annual campaign on the elimination of violence against women „16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” (25 November - 10 December 2021) under the global theme: „Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now!”. The campaign reiterates the need to fight for an immediate eradication of gender-based violence, and to make the world a better place, where girls and women feel safe.

Date:

Orange the world
 
2021 was marked by an important step for the Republic of Moldova towards the elimination of gender-based violence via the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. The ratification of the Istanbul Convention represents a big progress in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified cases of violence against girls and women, especially domestic violence, highlighting the need for firm and immediate actions. Thus, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, in the Republic of Moldova, will place in the forefront voices of women survivors of violence, who advocate for their rights, and create examples for those who need solutions to break the vicious circle of violence.

During the campaign, United Nations in Moldova, together with the Parliament and the Government of the Republic of Moldova, local public administrations, civil society organisations and international communities, under the global theme „Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now!”, with the local slogan „Unite against violence”, is going to organise a series of online and offline events, as well as several social media and mass media campaigns, aiming at combating gender stereotypes, encouraging women suffering from violence to speak up and report cases of violence, as well as promoting the importance of engaging men in the elimination of violence against women.

The campaign will be launched on November 25th, at the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, where a dialogue between survivors of violence and representants of Parliament, Government, international organisations, diplomatic missions and civil society organisations will take place. The aim of the event is to identify common actions and initiatives, as well as solutions in terms of eliminating violence against women and girls, via legal reforms, policy initiatives, implementation of prevention and response programmes at local and national level, etc.

“ Violence can take different forms: physical, economic, psychological and others. It is important that everyone understands their rights and where to go for help. It is also important that those who seek support are able to gain support and protection. We need more actions, not words. We need solidarity and we need men and boys to become champions to end violence against women. We must continue our efforts to advance the human rights of women in Moldova and build a future free of violence.”, Simon Springett, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Moldova, said.

“We need to show that we are working together towards creating a world in which abusers are held accountable and women and girls feel safe, no matter where they live, no matter their societies, their jobs, the roles that they choose to have in the world. We need to take a step back and asses what has been done and ask ourselves: What can we do to make things better? How many of the women in my life have been going through violence and have not spoken about it? How I can help them? How can I help the women and girls that I don’t know but that should be safe either way? These are the questions that we should ask ourselves every day. No matter our position in our society, we all have the power to change things”, Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Country Representative, mentioned.

In order to support those whose voices are not heard, we urge women and men to get involved, to follow and share the products disseminated on UN Women Moldova and ONU Moldova social media pages, using the hashtags #OrangeTheWorld #16Days; and to „orange” workplaces and outfits.

Together we are unite against violence!

Note: In the Republic of Moldova, this campaign is organised 20 years consecutively, by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, local authorities, international organisations and civil society. The colour of the campaign is orange, symbolising a brighter future for all women and girls.