Village from southern Gagauz autonomy of Moldova set to become settlement free of violence

Chisinau, 15 November /MOLDPRES/ - The Chirsova village from the southern Moldova Autonomous Territorial Unit (UTA) Gagauz-Yeri is set to maximally cut the number of cases of domestic violence in the next two years. The initiative is part of a global project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the support of South Korea.     

The project provides for the setting up of an assistance service for the domestic violence victims from the region, as well as for more actions to prevent and raise the level of awareness of the risks of violence. Thus, women will be able to benefit from psychological counseling, social and legal assistance. At the same time, they will be helped to find a job and ensure a decent income. The model of intervention piloted in Chirsova will be subsequently applied in other settlements of Moldova as well.     

For the first time ever in this region, policemen, social assistants, teachers will join efforts within the so-called multi-disciplinary team, in order to combat and prevent the gender violence. The multi-disciplinary team was officialized under an order by the Chirsova village mayor. 

„For us, this exchange of experience is quite valuable. We want to create an area where women from Chirsova and of the entire region feel safe and receive every assistance they need. This is a challenge for us to open a specialized service in UTA Gagauzia, where it has never existed,” the Chirsova village, mayor, Serghei Sapunji, said.  

The team will be counseled by UNDP, in order to be prepared to act in all risk cases for the life and security of the victims and their children. At the same time, the team members will also deal with the prevention of violence, through discussions with the community members, from pupils to adults, by promoting the zero tolerance to the domestic violence. 

Presently, the multi-disciplinary team, the authorities of the village, along with the other members of the community work out a local action plan for the prevention and combating of violence. This will allow local authorities allocating and attracting resources for the work of the services the community is in need of. The action plan will include short-term and long-term activities in various fields of assistance: legal, social, educational, employment, etc.