March 8, 2013 marked the 102nd anniversary of the International Women’s Day. This day represents a victory in the struggle for emancipation, against gender-based discrimination, for better working conditions, and, not least, for women’s voting rights across the globe.
Domestic violence is the most serious problem facing Moldovan women. About 90% of victims of this phenomenon are women, and the day of March 8 provides an opportunity to remind the Moldovan society and authorities that concerted and effective efforts are needed to stop violence against women – one of the gravest issues affecting the human rights situation in our country.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Promo-LEX:
1. calls on the central and local authorities to streamline the application and implementation of legislative provisions on preventing and combating domestic violence;
2. recalls the obligation of the Republic of Moldova to provide all victims of domestic violence, including those from the Transnistrian region, services of social, psychological, medical, and legal rehabilitation, and of other types, as needed;
3. declares to the society that domestic violence is not a strictly private matter – is is a social issue that affects us all;
4. reminds that, as part of its the Human Rights Program work, the lawyers from the Association provide qualified legal assistance to victims of domestic violence in Moldova, including the Transnistrian region, which have undergone acts of domestic violence in the past or continue to suffer such acts or their consequences today.
Promo-LEX demands real action and a positive response to this appeal from the Moldovan authorities. At the same time, we encourage international organizations that hold democratic values and human rights as a priority to continue their efforts to stop and prevent acts of domestic violence.