UN Women Moldova launches the International Women's Day campaign to mobilize collective action for strengthened access to justice for all women and girls

UN Women Moldova announces the launch of the International Women’s Day 2026 campaign under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” - an initiative calling to ensure that the legal protections women are entitled to are translated into lived experiences. The campaign also aligns with the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), which focuses on strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, providing global momentum to move beyond commitments toward concrete systemic change.

As we move deeper into the 21st century, the global promise of equal rights remains far from fulfilled. Women currently hold only 64 per cent of the legal rights afforded to men, and at the current pace of progress, closing the legal protection gap would take 286 years. International Women's Day 2026 and CSW70 represent a pivotal moment to amplify conversations on institutional responsibility, ensuring that justice systems respond effectively to women’s realities rather than allowing rights to remain unmaterialized promises.

Moldova has strengthened women’s access to justice through progressive legal reforms aligned with EU accession, including robust legislation on gender equality and gender‑based violence, expanded protection measures, and recent criminalization of femicide and technology‑facilitated violence. However, significant gaps persist between law and practice, with weak enforcement, limited gender responsiveness in justice reforms, low access to legal aid, and disproportionate barriers for rural women, Roma women, women with disabilities and those living in poverty. 

A UNDP-supported study on access to justice in Moldova shows that 41 per cent of women respondents have little to no trust in the justice system. The study also emphasizes that women experience more severe impacts from legal disputes, yet their awareness of their right to state-guaranteed legal aid remains alarmingly low. According to Moldova’s Report to CEDAW Committee, in 2022, women comprised only 13.5 per cent of legal aid beneficiaries, with victims of domestic violence representing a mere 1.7 per cent.

Furthermore, the latest study launched by the Women’s Law Centre in partnership with UN Women Moldova on domestic violence survivors’ access to justice identifies significant barriers that remain. The findings highlight that survivors still navigate a path marked by long judicial durations and persistent gender stereotypes. The study underscores that while laws are in place, the exercise of these rights is often influenced by the level of gender-sensitive training of professionals.

"Justice must be made real - embedded not only in laws, but in budgets, institutions, and the daily lives of women and girls. Women are not asking for favors; they are demanding equality and justice. This International Women’s Day 2026, we stand for three words: Rights. Justice. Action. To all women and girls: know your rights and claim them - for yourself and for each other!", says Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova Country Representative.

As part of its efforts to improve survivors’ access to justice, UN Women Moldova partnered with three specialized NGOs and supported them in expanding existing assistance by starting to provide free legal aid and representation. In 2025, these partnerships enabled 67 survivors to receive free legal counseling and court representation and other 172 were informed about their rights and where they can seek help. This support is delivered under the project “Enhancing Women’s Leadership for Resilient and Peaceful Societies,” funded by the Government of Denmark.

Throughout 2026, UN Women Moldova will continue to partner with government institutions, legal professionals, and civil society to bridge the legal gap and ensure that justice becomes a reality for all women and girls.