There is #NOEXCUSE for violence: Moldova marks 16 Days of activism against gender-based violence

Women and men from across Moldova joined forces for the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, including members of Parliament, the government, local public authorities, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, media and other opinion leaders.
The UN-led campaign occurs annually between 25 November—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women—and 10 December, Human Rights Day. Its purpose is to mobilize society as a whole to combat gender-based violence, emphasizing the importance of prevention and support for survivors.

The campaign’s official launch event took place on 25 November, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Organized by the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV) and the UN, the event featured a manifesto on the urgent need to address gender-based violence.

On the same day, UN Women launched “Do You See Me? Believe Me. Stand With Me!”—an awareness-raising campaign that uses art to tell the untold stories of women living in the shadow of violence. Throughout the #16Days campaign, 16 sculptures of women, created in collaboration with artist Victoria Peeva, were displayed in public spaces to draw attention to the prevalence of violence in the Republic of Moldova.

Each sculpture features a woman with a blank expression and downward gaze, dressed in crumpled paper clothing with striking orange shoes. The artistic concept behind the sculptures is to make visible women trapped in the cycle of violence who need the community’s support to break free. For 16 days, these women have symbolically stepped out of their homes to deliver a powerful message—urging people to get involved. It is a call to see them, support them and encourage them to believe in their ability to build a life of dignity and freedom from fear.

A dedicated campaign landing page was also unveiled alongside the launch of the sculptures in public spaces. Here, visitors can explore the women’s stories and access resources on ways to seek help in cases of violence.

On 27 November, the Women Deputies’ Platform of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova of the 11th legislature hosted an event reviewing the ANPCV’s most recent report, which details the agency’s work over the past ten months. Organized in partnership with UN Women Moldova, the event brought together women deputies, representatives of state institutions, development partners and GREVIO experts. Discussions focused on measures to improve victim protection, with a particular emphasis on preventing femicide, the most severe form of gender-based violence.

As part of the #16Days campaign, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova joined efforts to raise public awareness of the need to reject gender-based violence. UN Women and the Women Deputies’ Platform carried out multiple awareness-raising initiatives aimed at eradicating femicide and promoting the fundamental rights of women and girls.

Ten survivors of violence participated in a painting workshop, where they explored their journeys of transformation, taking part in creative exercises alongside psychologists. Guided by Cristina Dragomir, the director of a painting school in Ungheni, the activity provided a safe and supportive space. Professionals from law enforcement, social assistance and healthcare also joined the workshop, contributing to building trust and strengthening community support for survivors. The workshop highlighted the power of solidarity in the recovery process.

The workshop participants are beneficiaries of Moldova’s first Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence, which opened in Ungheni in 2023 with support from UN Women in partnership with local authorities and civil society. During its first pilot year, 58 survivors of violence received assistance.

On 9 December, the awareness campaign “Do you see me? Believe Me. Stand With Me!” concluded with an emotional event in Chișinău, where the 16 sculptures representing women survivors of violence were brought together under one roof.

The event gathered government, local authorities, international organizations and civil society representatives, who discussed measures for violence prevention and strengthening justice and support mechanisms. An artistic performance marked the campaign's finale, emphasizing the power of solidarity and community support in eradicating violence.

On 10 December, an exclusive screening of the Italian film “There’s Still Tomorrow” (C'è ancora domani), directed by Paola Cortellesi, took place. Set in 1940s Italy, the film tells the story of Delia, a woman fighting for freedom, dignity and a life free from violence. Its powerful message of resilience and challenging traditional gender roles left a profound impact on the audience. Throughout 2025, UN Women will organize additional screenings of the film with Romanian and Russian subtitles to spread the film’s message on gender equality to a broader audience.

In parallel, UN Women’s partner organizations conducted awareness-raising initiatives targeting diverse groups, including women with disabilities, Roma women and students.

According to UN Women and UNODC’s recent report “Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Killings by Intimate Partners and Family Members,” femicide—the most extreme form of violence against women and girls—remains widespread globally. The report highlights that every 10 minutes, a woman is killed by an intimate partner or family member. In 2023 alone, over 51,100 women and girls lost their lives in such circumstances. The slogan “There is no excuse for violence against women and girls” sends a clear message: violence against women has no justification.

These are just a few activities carried out as part of this year’s campaign. UN Women Moldova extends its gratitude to all who supported the #16Days initiatives and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to fighting for a violence-free society where every woman and girl feels respected and safe.

These activities were implemented as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, led by UN Women Moldova in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, with financial support from the European Union, Sweden and Denmark.