Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear partners,
Good morning!
Today, we gather to address two of the most pressing human rights issues of our time: Violence Against Children and Violence Against Women. While each of these issues is a grave concern, it is crucial to recognize and understand the significant intersections between them.
The power dynamics and societal norms that underpin both Violence Against Children and Violence Against Women are remarkably similar. While Violence Against Women is rooted in historical contexts where women were often not active participants in the economic sphere, making them dependent on their husbands, children lack the political voice and economic power to advocate for themselves, making them dependent on adults for protection and support. This dependency, coupled with insufficient enforcement of laws and inadequate social support systems, leaves both women and children susceptible to violence and exploitation.
Both forms of violence stem from abuses of power and control, often reinforced by patriarchal structures that diminish the status and rights of women and children. Addressing these intertwined issues requires a holistic approach that tackles the root causes of gender inequality and promotes the protection and empowerment of all vulnerable groups. I would venture to say that there is no way to tackle one form of violence without addressing the other.
Violence Against Children and Violence Against Women are pervasive issues affecting millions globally. According to UNICEF global data, the lives of approximately one billion children worldwide are impacted by it annually. In Moldova, data shows that no less than 2 in 5 children have been subjected to violence. The numbers are remarkably similar in the case of women –2 in 5 women and girls have also experienced physical or sexual abuse since the age of 15. These equal proportions should not be a surprise for anyone who knows that these forms of violence coexist within the same environments, whether within households, communities, or broader societal structures.
And many types of harmful behaviors, in particularly those that occur in the home, have common drivers, such as gender inequality, power imbalances, and socio-economic disparities.
Therefore, there is a need for coordinated services to address these phenomena. Public education is, indeed, a critical component in the fight against Violence Against Children and Violence Against Women. By implementing comprehensive behavior change interventions that promote gender equality and respect, challenging the harmful societal norms, we can make significant strides towards a more just society. Behaviour change is a critical to the success of any other intervention addressing violence, and we are looking forward to the outcomes of the working groups that will lay the foundation for such behavior change interventions.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Interventions that address the intersection between of both type of violence can have the double impact of reducing both violence against women and violence against children.
In addition to our continuous support to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and child protection stakeholders, we are very proud to also collaborate with the National Agency for Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence as well as with girl-led and women led organizations. Without them, it would be impossible to advance women’s and children’s rights.
I would also thank the European Union for their support, and the National Coalition “Life Without Violence” for their continuous commitment and work with us, or I should say, our work with them.
And of course, a big thank you to partners, colleagues, local authorities here today for engaging in this important initiative and for taking a committed civic stance as partners in eliminating violence against children and women.
As Moldova continues to advance its European aspirations, it is imperative that we align our efforts to combat violence with broader European standards of human rights and equality. Embracing these values not only strengthens our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable but also reinforces our dedication to building a modern, inclusive, and humane Moldova.
