MOLDPRES: Moldova's woman between aspirations, deeds, reality, traditions, modernization

Chisinau, 8 March /MOLDPRES/ - There is officially a day-off in Moldova on 8 March, when the International Women’s day is marked. It is part of the string of holidays, characterized as days-off, with the preservation of the salary. On certain periods, during those 30 years of the country’s independence, more events were  changed or cancelled as remains of the Soviet times, not also the day of 8 March. The day is widely celebrated, with traditions, presents and customs, parties both in the family and corporate ones, with the idea introduced that March is not only the first month of spring, of Martisor , but also of women.      

More women than men

In Moldova, women’s population predominates among the population with usual residents (about 1.4 million women (over 52 per cent) versus about 1.2 million men (over 47 per cent)). Last year, the proportion was of about 90 men for 100 women. The ratio differs depending on the age groups. The men’s population predominates in the age groups of 0-14 years, 15-34 years. The differences are more pronounced in the ages of 35-64 years and 65 years and more.    

According to the National Statistics Bureau (BNS), women live, on average, by eight years more than men. The life expectancy in 2021 was 73.9 years for women and 65.9 years for men. This difference is caused by the high level of premature death rate of men, especially of those able for work (16-62 years).

Also, women marry younger (26 years) than men (29 years); girls predominate in the postsecondary vocational education and boys – in the secondary vocational education and women have a higher level of education than men. At the same time, the rate of employment among women is lower than the one of men; women work preponderantly in the sector of services; women to a greater extent prefer formal salary activities and jobs; women earn, on average, by 14 per cent less than men or the biggest differences of the earnings of women and men are in financial activities, information and communications, as well as health and social assistance. At the same time, women are less exposed to labour accidents and the joblessness hit men to a greater extent than women.      

Women and men in decision-taking offices  

Although in the last years, the share of women in decision-taking positions has grown, nevertheless, the share of men leaders at all levels is higher than the one of women.  

For instance, 40 women entered the new parliament, made up following the snap elections from 11 July 2021,which accounts for 39.6 per cent – a record number of women MPs in the history of Moldova’s parliament, exceeding the record established in 2019 (25.7 per cent).  

The Bloc of Communists and Socialists has an almost equal representation of women (13 out of 32 lawmakers or 40.63 per cent) and the Action and Solidarity Party (25 women out of 63 MPs or 39.68 per cent). The share of women among the lawmakers of the Shor Party is 2 women out of 6 MPs elected.  

Thus, Moldova is among the European countries to register a high share of women MPs.  

Moldova implemented measures of stimulating women’s participation in elections. In 2016, amendments were made to the legislation as to the minimal share of representation of 40 per cent for both genders at the creation of the government, setting up of the leadership forums of the political parties and in the process of making electoral lists for the national and local polls.    

Nevertheless, women are involved in income-bringing activities less than men; the latter are more optimistic in the assessment of the household’s living standards against women; yet, the analysis of the rate of poverty according to genders does not show significant differences. Other data shows that women exceed the share of men in all number of pensioners; women benefit from lower old age pensions than men; the average size of the old age pension both for men and for women covers the value of the subsistence minimum for pensioners.   

8 March without mother at home

Another problem is that the deficit of jobs and the incomes earned in the native country prompt more and more women of Moldova to choose the way of exile and many children are brought up with their mothers far away.

Among the European countries, Moldova is the country with the highest level of population’s migration, especially of women, particularly on the purpose of labour.

According to many Moldovan women, it is much easier for one to get a well-paid job abroad than at home.

„Although the state provides more benefits and facilities to women, to have a child, to bring him/her up, to buy him/her school supplies, to provide the child the right nourishment, health, etc. implies sacrifices on behalf of women,’’ more young women say, in one way or another, contacted by MOLDPRES.   

Support on behalf of the state

Despite the current problems, the state undertakes, with the help of development partners and budgetary resources, more measures and reforms, in order to improve women’s situation – either in terms of social and medical assistance or as regards the entrepreneurship and developing businesses in various fields. A success of the government is the Women in Business Programme, financially backed from the state budget, including from the technical assistance provided by development partners. Launched in 2016, the programme proved to be an efficient governmental instrument of developing women’s entrepreneurship in Moldova. Thus, in 2022, each tenth entrepreneur of Moldova received support on behalf of the state through the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA). And the volume of financing provided in form of grants, financial guarantees or subsidies is of about 720 million lei (about 36 million euros).

This year, ODA plans the launch of four new programmes due to support the economic ability of women (Women in Business), small businesses (small producers), enhancing the export capacities (local providers) and development of agricultural boarding houses (rural tourism).    

By the side of women refugees from Ukraine  

Starting from the very first days of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, on 24 February 2022, Moldova has showed solidarity with the refugees from the neighbour country; tens of thousands of women with children found their second home in Moldova, and sometimes also family. In 2023, over 5,000 women refugees from Ukraine, along with their children, will be helped to be easier integrated in the community from Moldova. The support of 2.6 million dollars is provided from the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, with the backing of UN Women. Or 14 non-governmental organizations from Moldova will benefit from subsidies of 2.6 million dollars for the implementation of measures of response to the humanitarian crisis for the benefit of Ukrainian refugees.       

The Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund is a flexible and quick financing instrument, which supports interventions of women’s capacitation, in order to prevent conflicts, respond to crises and emergency situations and benefit from key opportunities of consolidation of peace. ‘’In the context of the humanitarian crisis and of the ever bigger needs of women and girls, both in Moldova and in the region, the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund urgently gave a regional response to the crisis and backed the organizations which speak out for women’s rights in Moldova,’’ according to the Labour and Social Protection Ministry.    

Also, the National Health Insurances Company informed that, starting from 1 March 2023, the Ukrainian refugees would be able to register at family physician in Moldova.   

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, more than 660,000 refugees have come to Moldova. Over 80,000 refugees continue to be in Moldova.  

Year after year, the 8 March holidays re-brings hope, optimism and confidence for good, beauty, peace and prosperity. This is a good occasion not only to celebrate, but also to point out multiple problems, challenges and hardships, faced by the modern woman, in order to be happy.   

MOLDPRES correspondent: Lilia Grubii

Editor: Mihai Jantovan

Photo-reporter: Mihai Vengher