Irina Budeanu is a Police Officer at the Chișinău Police Directorate, where she has been part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs team since 2014. In the service where Irina is currently active, 70 per cent of employees are men, while women make up 30 per cent. "We make a great team,” she told the participants. “We equally share responsibilities and support each other. As long as we cooperate efficiently as a group, we can achieve excellent results and projects. Many children dream of becoming police officers. That's what I wanted too. I am proud of my choice. It is a beautiful and successful career. I want to encourage young women to do what their hearts desire and choose the right profession. I wanted to become a police officer since I was a child, and I made it."
Teodor Zaporojan, an active young man who volunteers in his community, told the participants that young people should realize gender equality is a goal we can achieve together. "When we participate in different projects, we need to create diverse teams, not just boys or just girls, but ensure a balance among all participants,” he said. “This way, we ensure that ideas are more diverse and the solutions to the identified problems are more varied and suitable. Girls should be involved and we all can be good at something if we work together. So, let's unite for gender equality!"
Dana Chicu, a football player, also shared her experiences. At the age of six, she began playing football with boys in her neighborhood, and now she works as a coach, training over 50 girls. "Initially, when I started playing sports, my mother was against it because she feared injuries, but now she supports me. My friends who were with me on the football field always supported me. Other classmates always told me I was tomboyish because football is not for girls. I chose to continue down this path for myself,” she said. “Things done with pleasure always bring results. I think we need to support girls' passions. As a football coach, I am there for them to help and support them morally when they need me. Let's all do the same so that our girls can follow their passions!"
In addition to joining inspiring discussions, the participants enjoyed a personalized bracelet-making workshop, an impressive robot exhibition from the Technical University of Moldova and a unique 360 video booth conveying messages about gender equality.