Home - Safe

Chișinău, April 10, 2025 — The National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA and with support from the Government of Great Britain, launched today the theatrical production "Home - Safe," an innovative play inspired by real-life stories. It is performed by young individuals who are not professional actors but have chosen to actively engage in preventing domestic and gender-based violence.

On April 9, in Strășeni, nearly 500 students, parents, teachers, and specialsts attended the performance "Home, Safe," a life lesson about courage, fear, and the power to say "help me."

The play, staged by young actors from the Trușeni Youth Center under the direction of Mihaela Strâmbeanu and Valentin Strișcov, brought the issue of violence to the forefront, inspired by real testimonies and presented in the verbatim theater style.

Through the strength of its message, the performance delivered a firm appeal: no one should live in fear, and support services are available.

The event host, Mariana Dîmcenco, President of the Strășeni District Council, reiterated the commitment of local authorities to support initiatives aimed at preventing and combating domestic violence.

Viorica Țîmbalari, General Director of the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), stated: "'Home - Safe' is not just a slogan. It is a need. A right. A dream for some and, unfortunately, a reality too far away for others," emphasizing that "ensuring a safe environment for every child and every woman is everyone's responsibility."

"Home - Safe" aims not only to raise public awareness about the multiple forms of violence but also to contribute to changing social norms, normalizing the reporting process, and removing the stigma and silence that often accompany these situations. The youth convey a clear message: reporting violence is an act of courage, not shame.

Valentina Olaru, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Research, remarked that "we are witnessing a different kind of lesson—one where we do not write or read, but feel and understand," highlighting the importance of personal reflection and reporting cases of violence whenever they are identified.

Maha Damaj, UNICEF Country Representative, noted: "Violence often wears a mask. It hides in the silence of homes, behind polite smiles, in the fear of children too scared to speak. But through art—and especially through theater—we can remove that mask," specifying that "there is a way out. There are people who care, who will listen, and support services are here and ready."

According to Karina A. Nersesyan, UNFPA Country Representative in Moldova, "this play gives us an essential role: to give voice to women and girls who have experienced violence and to break the circle of silence." She also stated that "at UNFPA, we are committed to building a society where every woman and girl in Moldova lives safely, has the chance to thrive, and is supported by a community that condemns abuse and acts with empathy and courage."

At the end, participants engaged in discussions with psychologist Gholamali Mohammadifard and psychologists from the "12 Plus" platform, as well as the National Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse (CNPAC), about available services and ways to seek help in cases of violence and abuse.

In total, 32 performances will be staged throughout this year in various regions of the country as part of the Information and Awareness Campaign on Violence Against Women and Family Violence.

The event was organized by ANPCV in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Culture, and the Trușeni Youth Center, with support from UNICEF and UNFPA. It is part of the joint UNICEF-UNFPA program "Break the Circle of Violence Against Children and Women," implemented with financial support from the Government of Great Britain.

If you need support or someone to listen to you, you can contact the following services free of charge and confidentially:

📞 0 8008 8008 – Trust Line for Women and Girls  
📞 112 – In case of emergency  
📞 116 111 – Child Helpline  
💬 12plus Chat  

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