Over 40 percent of women in Moldova have been victims of a violent act at least once in their lives. To raise awareness of this widespread problem, USAID’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative held a series of activities throughout Moldova as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign from November 25–December 10.
The 16-day Campaign is a global effort against gender violence that involved approximately 2,000 organizations in 154 countries. Through an integrated program of training, roundtable discussions, and media events, the 16-day Campaign in Moldova sought to change social attitudes, practices and policies that condone and perpetuate gender-based violence.
“It is crucial that the public does not look at domestic violence as a private matter to be kept hidden behind closed doors, but rather as a wider problem demanding the attention of society as a whole,” said David Blood, Chief of Party for Winrock International, a USAID implementer in Moldova.