UNFPA Moldova launched awareness-raising and social mobilization campaign against sexual violence
The campaign "Catch wings. Set free", launched today at the initiative of UNFPA Moldova Resident Representative Nigina Abaszada, aims to raise awareness and mobilize the population against sexual violence. Attending the event, Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that the state must play an important role in combating the phenomenon through various prevention programmes and campaigns.
The initiator of the campaign, UNFPA Moldova Resident Representative Nigina Abaszada, said that in the context of Moldova's European integration, the organisation and the authorities will work together to combat the phenomenon.
"In the context of European integration, the ratification of the Istanbul Convention we are ready to build a team together with the Government of the Republic of Moldova, members of Parliament, the international community, so that we can intervene with greater impact to protect and save women from sexual violence," said Nigina Abaszada.
According to Victoria Ciubotaru, a gynaecologist at the Institute of Mother and Child, many cases of sexual violence, especially those occurring in the family, remain hidden and silence can lead to the death of the victim. She urged rape victims to turn to medical institutions in the country where they will receive medical support and psychological assistance.
"District, municipal and some republican hospitals have been equipped thanks to the very active involvement of the United Nations Population Fund, providing donations in the form of medicines for victims of violence. Victims of sexual violence are urged to contact the health system within the first 72 hours for medical support. Medicine to prevent sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancy is available in our hospitals and youth health centres," said Victoria Ciubotaru.
Attending the event, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that the state will implement programmes to combat and prevent this phenomenon, information campaigns, especially in schools, and will also provide psychological assistance to victims.
"We have a unique centre, we have a strategy, that is, our friends help us to build rehabilitation programmes. It is also important to build prevention programmes. We need to find a model to identify early on the risks that can lead to sexual violence," stressed Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
US Ambassador to Moldova Kent Longsdon and other diplomats also expressed their intention to continue supporting our country in the fight against sexual violence.
According to the General Police Inspectorate, between 300 and 500 cases of sexual violence are registered annually in Moldova.
