Moldovan deputy parliament speaker participates in 70th session of UN Commission on the Status of Women

Deputy Parliament Speaker Doina Gherman has participated in the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), held on March 9-19 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. This year's session is dedicated to strengthening access to justice for women and girls.

During the meeting, the official delivered a speech, in which she emphasized the need to improve mechanisms for preventing and combating violence against women, as well as the importance of cooperation between state institutions and civil society in supporting victims.

“Access to justice means acting together: the police, prosecutors, courts, social services, the health system, local and central authorities, as well as civil society. We must strengthen our capacity to act more decisively and build a stronger national system of prevention, protection and accountability,” said Doina Gherman.

The deputy parliament speaker reiterated that Moldova, as a candidate country for the European Union, shared the European vision according to which gender equality is not only a principle, but also a legal and social obligation.

On the sidelines of the event in New York, Doina Gherman held several meetings with international officials. In her discussion with Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, she reaffirmed Moldova’s commitment to actively contribute to the organization’s global agenda and its strategic goal of joining the European Union.

Also, during the meeting with Cyprus Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou, Doina Gherman discussed Moldova’s progress on the European agenda and Cyprus’s support for the opening of EU accession negotiations.

In New York, the deputy speaker also met Germany’s Federal Minister for Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Karin Prien. The discussions focused on preventing gender-based violence, the risks of digital violence, the phenomenon of femicide and the gender pay gap.

Doina Gherman also took part in a panel dedicated to preventing and combating digital violence against women and girls, organized by the Permanent Mission of Moldova to the UN, in partnership with the Council of Europe, UN Women, Romania and Monaco.

“The virtual space has become a place where women and girls are attacked, in order to silence their voices. We need a coordinated effort on behalf of state institutions, so that women feel safe at home, on the street, at work and online,” the deputy parliament speaker noted.

At the end of the visit, Doina Gherman met UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, whom she thanked for the support provided to Moldova and with whom she expressed hope for strengthening cooperation, in order to align national legislation with European standards in the field of gender equality.

The UN Commission on the Status of Women is the principal intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was established in 1946 within the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).