Since its independence in 1991 from the former Soviet Union, the Republic of Moldova has fared poorly: poverty has deepened, the health of the population has deteriorated and access to education and social services has decreased. Although UNFPA does not have a formal country programme in Moldova, it plays an active role in the country. Some of the key issues UNFPA is addressing are highlighted in these feature stories:
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Although they were initially sceptical about discussions of reproductive health in the schools, community and religious leaders in the town of Drepcauti now strongly back a pilot project to integrate Family Life Education into school curricula. This complements efforts by trained peer educators to discuss sexuality and other sensitive subjects with other young people. See full story…
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Domestic violence is endemic in Moldova, protected by a culture of silence and tacit acceptance of it. A UNFPA- supported shelter in Chisinau helps women who have been injured by their partners to rebuild their lives, while a coalition of organizations is working to address the problem through legislation. See full story …
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According to some estimates, as many as 140,000 young Moldovan women have been trafficked for sexual purposes, many of them lured across the Russian border by prospects of decent employment. For those who manage to escape, a ‘safe house' operated by the International Office of Migration and health services that UNFPA provides can help young women recover from the ordeal. See full story...
