‘Thinkathon’ results in solutions to prevent violence against women and girls

To commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, UN Women Moldova hosted a unique event called ‘Thinkathon.’ A creativity marathon, the event brought together 30 Moldovan men and women between ages 18 and 25 who developed ways to prevent violence against women and girls, promote positive norms in society and eliminate gender stereotypes.

The participants explored innovative solutions and generated ideas for projects to bring about positive change in their communities. On 2 December, six teams of these young women and men exercised their knowledge, imagination and team spirit to find innovative methods that could contribute toward preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls. They presented their projects to the jury and audience, and at the end of the event, two of the teams won financial prizes to implement them.

First place: "Unity without Conflict"
This team will develop a board game aimed at combating and eliminating gender stereotypes and violence against women and girls. The team won 30,000 MDL to implement the project.

Second place: "Young European Ambassadors"
This team will create safe areas for young men and women and also organize a "SafeLink" camp with information sessions on gender-based violence. The team won 20,000 MDL to initiate this project.

As the two teams develop and implement these projects, they will also benefit from the guidance and mentorship of experts on preventing gender-based violence.

During his welcoming speech, Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova, commented on the importance of these proposed solutions. “This event is an exceptional opportunity for young men and women to develop innovative strategies that will contribute to changing social norms and creating safer environments for everyone,” he said. “Through their active involvement, they can bring significant changes to an alarming reality, which shows that in Moldova, 63 per cent of women over the age of 15 have experienced various forms of violence from their life partners."

Her Excellency Katarina Fried, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova, told the attendees: "Violence can be prevented and you, young men and women, play a key role in ensuring a future free of abuse. The #16Days campaign is an exceptionally important international initiative held every year that we are proud to support."

Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova’s Country Representative, said that globally, 245 million women and girls face physical and/or sexual violence from intimate partners every year. “Economic crises and conflicts have exacerbated these cases even further, increasing the vulnerability of girls and women,” she said. “This happens in families close to us and our circle of friends. We have a collective responsibility to all girls – to ensure a future free of violence."

Tzvetanka Kroumova, First Deputy Chairwoman of the Management Board of Moldindconbank, also came with a message for the participants. "Gender-based violence, especially in the form of domination-based alpha masculinity, is a harsh reality that transcends social barriers,” she said. “It is essential to understand that this desire for domination is toxic and destructive. Such behaviour must be denounced!"

Elena Botezatu, Executive Director of La Strada Moldova, congratulated the young men and women for their courage to participate in the Thinkathon and for their passion to change society. “At La Strada, we work closely with young people, consulting them in all our endeavors,” she said. “Based on our experience, we believe in their power to bring about remarkable transformation."

Held to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based violence campaign, this event was organized by UN Women Moldova in partnership with UN Moldova, La Strada International Center, BC Moldindconbank S.A., Fintech Hub and Investiții.md, with financial support from Sweden.