Moldovan police open first childcare facility for employees

The National Public Security Inspectorate (INSP) within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI), in collaboration with UN Women and with financial support from the Government of Sweden, marked a significant moment by launching an initiative to support the work-life balance of employees within the police system.

On 17 January, the Ministry of Internal Affairs opened a “children's room,” equipped with all the necessary facilities to ensure the comfort and needs of children, including a bedroom for rest and a space for various activities. This child care facility is the first of its kind within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It represents an essential step in improving the working conditions of INSP employees and the early educational development of their children.

In her opening remarks for the inauguration, State Secretary Daniela Misail-Nichitin highlighted the importance of helping MAI employees balance their professional and personal lives, emphasizing the unique situation of parents working in frontline services. “We are fully committed to creating more employee-friendly workplaces, especially as extended school programmes and financial support from the municipality are reduced,” she said. “This is an absolutely necessary solution to ensure a balance between professional activities and family life.”

The Chief of the General Police Inspectorate, Viorel Cernăuțeanu, expressed his sincere gratitude to all partners for their support. “The inauguration of this room with modern equipment will help improve the caregiving time of police officers, especially in families where both parents are employed at the institution,” he said. “Our children are our future, and education and responsibility for them represent parental values.”

Her Excellency Katarina Fried, Ambassador of Sweden to Moldova, said that supporting gender equality efforts is a priority for Sweden, both nationally and in bilateral and multilateral relations. “By recognizing the needs of working parents and implementing family-friendly policies, companies and public institutions can create favorable environments with benefits for both sides: the balance between professional and personal life of employees is facilitated, and employers become more attractive and can retain staff more easily,” she explained. “We are pleased to see the newly renovated and equipped facilities at the National Public Security Inspectorate and hope they will serve as inspiration for other institutions.”

Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova Country Representative, explained that the children's room is crucial for parents employed at the INSP – and that it will be especially important for employing and retaining women. “In a society where women still feel constrained to choose between career and family life, this initiative represents an important step in supporting them and encouraging other women to join law enforcement,” she said.

Given the schedule of INSP employees, the room is designed to accommodate children between ages 3 and 12, especially after kindergarten or school hours, during vacation periods and for various emergency situations. This facility represents an opportunity to optimize the response time of employees, especially in families where both parents are employed at the institution. It will not only support employed individuals and encourage those who would like a career in the police system but also promote gender equality within the police force.