The local socio-economic inclusion mechanism of women survivors of domestic violence was created, tested and piloted in Cahul and Ungheni

A local mechanism for socio-economic inclusion of survivors of domestic violence was developed through the EVA project – Strengthened gender action in Cahul and Ungheni districts, financed by the European Union. The document includes a set of measures and stages for the socio-economic inclusion of women (survivors of violence) and their support through professional training, employment, launching of income-generating activities or the initiation of entrepreneurial activities. The mechanism was tested in 12 localities in Ungheni and Cahul districts, and more than 250 women benefited from support for education, training and employment, in order to become economically independent.

It also clearly establishes the roles and responsibilities of the relevant public authorities and partners in this process of referring women survivors of gender-based violence to the social protection system.

"An enormous amount of work was put into the process of creating the referral mechanism. I'm glad that today we have this space for interaction and recommendations so that women can get involved, get financial independence, and in this way be able to get out of the vicious circle of domestic violence. Now, it matters a lot how the mechanism will be implemented, how we can support it and what we can do to talk about it at the national level, quite a big challenge for all of us" said Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Country Representative Moldova.

The socio-economic inclusion model involves three stages of intervention. In the first stage, women who are victims, survivors or at risk of domestic violence are identified. The second stage is focused on social integration, through psychological counselling, coaching, personal development and other services to help women overcome their situation,and include these women in the process of adaptation to the workplace and living. And in the last stage, the beneficiaries are professionally integrated, through orientation and professional training, entrepreneurial education and mediation in the employment process. Therefore, during the pilot period, 256 women benefited from support for socialization, education and training, within the Women's Clubs. Of these, 97 benefited from psycho-social and occupational assistance, 32 found a job, and 21 received support through mini-grants, to initiate activities that would bring them financial independence.

"Unfortunately, we find that the problem of domestic violence still persists, and supporting women is important for society. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has the necessary experience in implementing such mechanisms in referring victims of domestic violence to territorial employment structures. We have a mechanism in place, which is helping victims of domestic violence, but we encounter certain obstacles in implementation. One of them is that it is difficult to obtain victim status. According to the law, women victims of violence can benefit from a series of services and employment measures, such as information about the labour market, career guidance, professional training, job training, and assisted employment" reiterated Anna Gherganova, head of the Employment and Migration Regulatory Directorate of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

After completing those three stages of socio-economic inclusion, women survivors of violence benefit from an increased level of security, skills, and financial and economic independence.

"The Economic Council with the support of UN Women Moldova promotes a roadmap, developed and approved in May 2022. This document is promoted at the highest level. We have as partners several ministries, business associations, non-governmental organizations, and different platforms that develop actions to promote women in various fields, especially in the economic one, but also at the decision-making level. The document also includes objectives outlined in this project, launched by the "Făclia" Association and we are very happy that, at the local level, it has such a big impact" Viorica Antonov, national expert, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova.

The purpose of the mechanism is to provide increased efficiency to local authorities involved, including organizations that defend women's rights, to counter the phenomenon of domestic violence, stereotypes and gender-based discrimination. The inclusion model offers psycho-social assistance, occupational support and legal assistance, according to the needs of each beneficiary.

"This mechanism is an extensive document, which also contains an action plan, because we want it to be implemented in the long term, to have sustainability. In Cahul and Ungheni we have a committee of experts who, during the project, got to know the needs of women victims of violence, communicated with them, and established relationships and partnerships with the local authorities. In the process of creating the mechanism, we understood that, in the stages of women's economic empowerment, each entity is very important. Only with the involvement of all competent institutions, we can identify a female victim and help her walk the path to financial independence," concluded Angela Ciocîrlan, president of the "Făclia" Public Association.

"The local referral mechanism for survivors of domestic violence - good practices from Ungheni and Cahul, in view of women's ability for Decent Work and Decent life" was developed by the Public Association "Făclia", within the EVA project "Promoting gender equality in the districts Cahul and Ungheni", financed by the European Union and implemented by UN Women, in partnership with UNICEF.