Outcome MDA_D_1.1

By 2027, institutions deliver human rights, evidence-informed and gender-responsive services for all with the focus on those who are left behind (UNSDCG outcome 1)

The outcome has not been achieved, but Republic of Moldova has achieved important milestones in legal, policy and service provision during 2023. Parliament and Government approved the Law on the establishment of the first ever National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Agency) and the Regulation determining the direct accountability of the Agency to the Prime Minister, on 31 July and 29 November 2023 respectively. The National Agency has the mandate to coordinate the implementation of the national legislation, aligned with the provisions of the Council of Europe (CoE) Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (ratified in 2021) and the National Program on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence for the years 2023-2027 , approved on 31 May 2023. By leveraging its triple mandate, UN Women coordinated the support for the establishment of the Agency and jointly with UNFPA and in consultation with the national coalition of CSOs, provided policy advice and expert support in the development of the national programme. According to the national-level service records (police) on the situation of domestic violence in 2023, women survivors of violence received required protection: the number of women victims of domestic violence who received protection orders has increased in 2023 (540) compared to previous year (503) along with increase in reported and filled cases under law enforcement area with registered 1510 cases in 2023, compared with the 1274 in 2022. Victims of sexual violence have access to the first ever regional integrated service, opened in Moldova following Government Decision no. 508 issued on July 19 th which establishes the minimum standards for survivor-centric service provision. Seven women victims of sexual violence and 3 women victims of domestic violence accessed assistance at the first sexual assault centre in Ungheni since November 2023, when the service become available. These include immediate medical care, trauma support, forensic examinations and psychological assistance by qualified professionals, with a view to avoiding secondary victimisation. CoE GREVIO report to Moldova , released in November 2023 welcomed the establishment of the first Center and recommended to Government of the Republic of Moldova further expansion of such holistic support services to other regions and considering different forms of violence. The Specialist service was established after an inclusive process led by UN Women of co-creation of the model, standards and regulations that are aligned with COE standards and adjusted to the local context. With UN Women support, other 155 women survivors of gender-based violence received specialized assistance (psychological, legal, social support) and referral, as a result of services provided by several CSOs, in the reporting year. In 2023, more than 9,388 women and girls including from most under representative groups accessed prevention and humanitarian support after they were gained knowledge on how to access essential services for survivors of violence. This resulted from investing in capacity building for more than 697 duty bearers, services providers from different regions on delivering gender responsive services in prevention and multisectoral response; including awareness raising activities organized by UN Women The ToC for this outcome remains applicable. The strong partnership with government, civil society and development partners allowed UN Women to fully exercise its mandate by providing timely expertise in EVAW field aligned with international norms. UN Women Moldova remains committed to support the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, to strengthen specialized services for survivors of violence, as well as the access to justice of women survivors, through continuous support to feminist movements, activist groups and women rights organizations, as well as men’s engagement in EVAW. The CO – as result of trust and partnership built with development partners secured 3.7 million USD for this Outcome in 2023 alone.

By 2027, institutions deliver human rights, evidence-informed and gender-responsive services for all with the focus on those who are left behind (UNSDCG outcome 1)

The Outcome was not achieved, but notable progress was recorded by national institutions in ensuring coordinated multisectoral approach and gender responsive provision of services to victims of gender-based violence (GBV). In 2024, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova approved the Law No. 231 amending the legislation on prevention and combating of domestic violence (DV) ( No. 45/2007 ) and introducing for the first time provisions on femicide, as the most severe form of violence. The amended law also encompassed provisions related to the responsibilities of the designated specialists, to the functioning of the specialist services, but also to the mandate of the National Agency on Prevention and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GBV Agency) as central coordinating body responsible for coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and measures to prevent and combat all forms of violence. In 2024, following the legal amendments, the first National Coordination Council for prevention and combating GBV was established to serve as an advisory body to the GBV Agency. The normative and institutional improvements were also matched with concrete efforts undertaken in 2024 to strengthen women’s access to protection and specialized services. According to the national-level service records (police) 2 the number of women survivors of violence who received protection orders during the first 6 months has increased (446) compared to the same period of the previous year ( 400 ). For the same period, 2888 cases of DV have been referred by police to the essential support services, compared to 3957 cases referred throughout the whole year 2023. UN Women attribution to these results was throuth a total of 736 women and girls from different regions of the country (including 200 women survivors of violence and 48 women/girls with disabilities) who increased their knowledge on their rights and available gender-responsive specialized services. Fifty- eight victims of sexual violence and DV benefited for the first time from comprehensive package of quality services made available through the first Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence in Ungheni. The range of services encompasses medical, psychological and legal assistance, including facilitating hearings with audio-video recording and development of psychological assessment reports. In 80% of cases, victims received immediate emergency assistance within the first four days following the sexual assault. Over 80% of the victims were from rural areas of those six targeted districts, which underscores the importance of the provision of regionally accessible specialized services. This initiative marks a significant milestone in fulfilling the Republic of Moldova’s commitments under the Istanbul Convention, as highlighted in the first GREVIO baseline evaluation report . Three government-managed centers for socially vulnerable citizens in the regions of Balti, Causeni and Stefan Voda (north -center and south of the country) expanded their capacities and services to provide specialized assistance to survivors of GBV and their children in safer environment. A total of 736 women and girls from different regions of the country (including 200 women survivors of violence and 48 women/girls with disabilities) increased their knowledge on their rights and available gender-responsive specialized services. Leveraging its triple mandate, UN Women, jointly with CSOs partners La Strada and Women Law Center, played pivotal role in providing extensive technical and expert support to the Parliament for the legislative amendments, including data and evidence on femicide cases , and to the Government for the expansion, quality and access of specialized services. The CO ensured continued expert advice and assistance to the GBV Agency and MLSP in capacitation of the newly appointed staff and GBV specialists, as well as in outreaching local grassroots organizations and women in communities. The above-mentioned results contribute to the implementation of the Objectives 1.3, 1.5 and 2.1 of the National Programme on Prevention and Combatting VAW and DV 2023-2027 to nationalized SDG 5.2. targets, as well as to CEDAW Recommendation 23 to the 6th periodic report to the Republic of Moldova. The ToC for this outcome remains applicable. The CO remains committed to support the national stakeholders in strengthening and expanding the specialized services for survivors of violence, as well as in facilitating the access to justice and economic empowerment of women survivors.