12 LOCALITIES FROM CAHUL AND UNGHENI DISTRICTS WILL APPLY GOOD EUROPEAN PRACTICES IN PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY AND FIGHTING AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and UNICEF Moldova with financial support from the European Union will support 12 localities from Cahul and Ungheni districts to apply European experience in promoting gender equality by integrating the gender component in local public policies, as well as in the field of combating domestic violence against women, girls and boys.

The localities were selected following a public call for partnership launched within the EVA Project – Strengthened Gender Action in Cahul and Ungheni districts. Out of the 22 mayoralties that expressed their interest in collaboration 12 were selected as project partners: 6 localities from Cahul district – Slobozia Mare, Valeni, Andrusul de Jos and Larga Noua villages, Zirnești towship and Cahul municipality and other 6 localities from Ungheni district – Manoilesti, Zagarancea, Pirlita and Macaresti townships, Radenii Vechi village and Ungheni municipality.

Local public authorities from these 12 localities together with multidisciplinary team members, civil society, schools, business and the media will be involved in complex capacity-building activities to develop and implement gendersensitive local policies. They will also be supported to respond more effectively to cases of domestic violence, as well as to raise awareness among the general public about inequalities and the need to combat violence against women and children.

Within the EVA Project a specialized service will be set up to support victims of sexual violence. In addition, programs to prevent gender-based violence will be implemented in schools and activities to raise public awareness and promote zero tolerance for violence in communities.