Child-friendly room opens at the State Chancellery as part of #TogetherWeGrow campaign
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Olga Oloi, Senior Consultant at the Human Resources Department of the State Chancellery, expressed her joy about the initiative. “I am very pleased that in the authority where I work, family-friendly policies are promoted, and we have the support of management to carry out our responsibilities without worrying about our children, who are nearby in a safe and friendly space,” she said.
The room represents a significant benefit for employees with children, especially those with primary school-aged kids. “Family disputes about what the child does after school or who looks after them during vacations have been resolved,” Oloi added. “They are here safe, alongside a professional educator, making new friends, playing or doing homework, drawing or cutting in a space equipped with all kinds of beautiful resources.”
The child-friendly room provides a safe environment and offers educational and recreational activities. “My daughter is very excited about the activities organized here,” said Oloi. “She enjoys socializing and has made new friends. Daily creative workshops are held here, tailored to each child’s age and interests.”
Artur Mija, the Secretary General of the Government of Moldova, emphasized the importance of initiatives supporting the balance between professional and family life. “For us, it is a priority to create family-friendly workplaces, to support those who want to focus on professional development or return to the labour market after having children,” he said. “We recommend that other institutions follow this example and set up equipped spaces for the comfort of young children. Let’s not forget that the success of an institution is directly influenced by the well-being of the people who make it up.”
Oloi also pointed out the positive changes this initiative has brought to the State Chancellery’s organizational culture: “The room provides a balance between professional and personal lives and transforms the workplace into a family-friendly environment.” She added that having her child close by, in a safe environment and engaged in recreational activities, helps her focus on her professional responsibilities without worries.
UN Women’s #TogetherWeGrow campaign aims to renovate and equip childcare spaces, transforming them into safe and friendly environments and providing socio-economic opportunities for mothers and developmental prospects for children.
“We invest in childcare services to facilitate the return of parents, especially mothers, to the labour market,” said Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova’s Country Representative. “The shortage of nurseries is one of the biggest barriers to the reintegration of women into the workforce.”
Since 2023, UN Women has facilitated the expansion of nursery groups and the creation of child-friendly rooms in several cities across Moldova, including Chișinău, Sîngerei, Glodeni, Rîșcani and Căușeni. These initiatives improve economic opportunities for women, contributing to the sustainable development of communities.
Katarina Fried, the Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova, emphasized the importance of such investments in promoting gender equality and stimulating the national economy. “Availability of childcare services, subsidized childcare programs are very appreciated in every country. It gives that needed flexibility that reduces the stress of balancing work with childcare responsibilities. Sweden was always supporting the country's aspirations towards gender equality agenda and equal participation in the labour market and social activities. It is very important to allow both parents to work and contribute to society and economic development of the country.” she said.
Several factors, including the presence of children in the family, affect women's employment rates. In 2022, the employment rate for women aged 25-49 with at least one child under 16 was 50.4%, compared to 64.8% for women in the same age group without children. Although employment has increased significantly, it remains low for women with children under 6, at 5.5% nationally and 8.8% in metropolitan areas. These differences highlight the impact of family responsibilities and limited access to childcare on women's ability to participate in the labor market.
