Moldova Strengthens Support for Parents and Caregivers: Results of the National Parenting Program Study Presented
Chișinău, 8 December 2025. The Republic of Moldova is taking an important step toward developing a stronger and more inclusive parental support system. During the event “Strengthening Support for Parents and Caregivers in the Republic of Moldova: From Global Evidence to National Actions,” the results of the national study on parenting programs were presented, offering an updated overview of existing interventions and the real needs of families.
The event brought together more than 90 representatives of public authorities, international organizations, academia, and child protection specialists, creating a space for dialogue on how services for parents and caregivers can be improved nationwide.
The study highlights the need to strengthen parental support and shows that investment in parenting programs directly contributes to preventing violence and promoting healthy family relationships. At the same time, the findings indicate persistent gaps in the accessibility and sustainability of programs, especially in rural areas, where needs remain high.
The event also featured briefings on the potential of transformative parenting programs in preventing violence against children and women, developed globally by UNICEF and the Prevention Collaborative. International evidence clearly shows that parenting programs are an essential component in preventing family violence, and insufficient investment in this area has long-term consequences for child development and family well-being. Gender-sensitive programs play a key role in strengthening parent–child relationships, reducing violent behaviors, and building a more equitable parental support system.
Adapting existing programs in Moldova would generate long-term benefits and has the potential to prevent or reduce violence against women and children.
During the event, Moldovan authorities reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing these recommendations and translating them into concrete policies and interventions. Officials emphasized that developing a coherent system of support for parents and caregivers is essential for preventing violence, promoting healthy family relationships, and ensuring the harmonious development of every child.
In her opening remarks, Viorica Țîmbalari, Director General of the National Agency for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), the host of the event, stressed that the study’s findings reaffirm a fundamental truth: preventing violence begins in the family:
„Parenting programs are not just educational interventions but effective mechanisms for early child protection and for strengthening healthy relationships from the earliest stages of life. Developing and expanding these programs, including in rural communities, is a strategic priority and a direct investment in the safety and well-being of future generations. By supporting parents today, we build a safer society tomorrow”.
Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labor and Social Protection, highlighted the urgent need to adjust and strengthen existing programs:
„When I became a parent, I realized how difficult it is to find accurate and practical information in a world full of resources but hard to filter. Many programs are useful, but they lack sustainability and rarely reach rural areas where needs are greatest. This is why we are prioritizing the expansion of parental programs, the involvement of fathers, and consistent support—psycho-emotional, educational, and financial—so that every child in Moldova grows up in a safe, healthy, and balanced environment. It is our responsibility to build this system together.”
The event also included a workshop dedicated to the “parental ecosystem” concept, developed by the Ministry of Education and Research with the support of UNICEF and UNFPA. Experts, authorities, and partners discussed ways to implement the study's recommendations so that parenting programs become more accessible, more inclusive, and better adapted to different categories of families, including those from rural areas or refugee backgrounds. These discussions represent an essential step toward expanding impactful interventions for preventing violence.
Valentina Olaru, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Research stated:
„This study provides us with a solid foundation to reflect on how a parental education program should be designed to meet the real needs of families in our country. Parental education is a priority for the Ministry, which is working intensively to develop a modern platform for parental training. It is evident that this area needs strengthening because parents and caregivers play a key role in collaborating with educational institutions to ensure quality education for all children”.
Karina Nersesyan, UNFPA Moldova Country Representative, noted:
„The study clearly demonstrates that investment in transformative parenting is a direct investment in preventing violence and changing the social norms that perpetuate it. By promoting such initiatives, UNFPA reaffirms its commitment to developing programs that shift norms, promote gender equality, and create safe environments for women, children, and society as a whole.”
UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova, Maha Damaj emphasized:
„Moldova has a unique opportunity to build one of the most coherent and effective parental support systems in the region. When we promote gender equality, we prevent violence. When we ensure that every child grows up in a safe, equitable, and supportive environment, we invest in the country’s future. UNICEF remains fully committed to supporting the Government and all partners in turning this vision into reality by building a stronger, coordinated, and inclusive parenting support system that better protects children and women in Moldova.”
The Government of the United Kingdom plays a significant role in supporting parenting and violence prevention programs in Moldova. This support is essential, contributing to the creation and strengthening of effective protection and intervention systems that serve entire communities.
Anna Simpson, Humanitarian Adviser at the British Embassy, reiterated the UK's commitment:
„The United Kingdom is proud to have supported this important study and remains firmly committed to investing in protection services in Moldova. This reflects one of the personal priorities of the UK Foreign Secretary: strengthening global efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls. Together, we will unlock the transformative potential of parenting programs and support systems for caregivers to reduce violence in our society”.
More information about the study is available here: Strengthening Support for Parents and Caregivers: From Global Evidence to National Actions.
The study was carried out within the framework of the UNICEF–UNFPA Joint Programme “Break the Cycle of Violence against Women and Children,” implemented under the auspices of ANPCV, in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and Research, and with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom.
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