Government of the Republic of Moldova

Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection

"As Minister of Labour and Social Protection, I am committed to advancing gender equality, bodily autonomy and the right of every woman and girl in Moldova to live free from violence, discrimination and coercion."

As a SheDecides Champion, the Minister of Labour and Social Protection brings a strong gender equality and social protection voice to the global movement.

Her leadership connects bodily autonomy with freedom from violence, coercion, discrimination and exploitation, as well as with access to information, economic security, social inclusion and effective protection systems.

The Minister contributes by sharing Moldova’s experience in implementing gender equality policies and monitoring CEDAW, the Istanbul Convention and ILO Convention No. 190, while mobilising institutions, civil society, development partners and young people around practical reforms that protect women and girls.

Moldova’s contribution to SheDecides is a clear message: the right to decide must be protected not only through health services, but also through safety, dignity, equality, economic empowerment, social protection, shared responsibility and access to justice.

Why bodily autonomy is a priority for the Ministry

For the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, bodily autonomy is a core condition for gender equality, dignity, safety and effective access to rights.

The Ministry’s mandate addresses many of the structural barriers that limit women’s and girls’ autonomy: violence against women, domestic and sexual violence, trafficking in human beings, violence and harassment in the world of work, economic dependence, unequal care responsibilities, harmful gender stereotypes, gender pay gaps and limited access to information and support services.

Moldova also links bodily autonomy with family policies, recognising that women’s freedom to decide depends on stronger support for families, shared care responsibilities, child protection services and measures that reduce the unequal burden of unpaid care.

How Moldova is working so SheDecides

The Republic of Moldova is committed to advancing gender equality, bodily autonomy and the right of women, girls and young people to make free and informed decisions about their lives, bodies, health, relationships and future.

This commitment is reflected in Moldova’s national policy framework, including the Programme for Gender Equality between Women and Men and the Programme for Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. These programmes address structural gender inequalities through gender-responsive policies and budgets, stronger social protection for caregivers, equal pay for work of equal value, women’s leadership and decision-making, and the active engagement of men and boys in promoting gender equality.

Advancing women's autonomy and protection from violence

Through the national programmes on gender equality and on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, the Ministry promotes an integrated approach to women’s autonomy. This includes gender-responsive policies and budgets, survivor-centred services, economic empowerment, stronger protection systems, equal pay, recognition of care work, women’s leadership, and the engagement of men and boys as allies for equality.

This means protecting women’s and girls’ freedom from violence, coercion, discrimination and exploitation in all areas of life — in the family, in the community, in education, in public institutions and in the world of work.

Moldova strengthens bodily autonomy through accessible, survivor-centred support services. Women and girls affected by domestic, gender-based or digital violence can access specialised social services, the National Referral Mechanism, the 24/7 Women and Girls’ Help Line 0 8008 8008 and the eviolenta.md platform.

This protection ecosystem is complemented by the Child Helpline and the free telephone assistance service for persons with disabilities. Moldova is also investing in professional training for social service providers, expanding the shelter network and strengthening quality standards, so that protection is accessible, effective and responsive to survivors’ needs.

Country-level support for sexual and reproductive health and rights

The Republic of Moldova supports the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights as part of its broader commitment to gender equality, non-discrimination, bodily autonomy and freedom from violence and coercion.

At national level, Moldova has strengthened access to safe abortion services, family planning counselling, modern contraception and youth-friendly health services, with particular attention to vulnerable groups. Young people benefit from a nationwide network of Youth-Friendly Health Centres, while health and sexuality education is promoted through education policies, awareness initiatives and the 2025 curriculum reform.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection contributes to this agenda by ensuring that gender equality, protection from violence, survivor-centred services, social inclusion and the rights of vulnerable groups are reflected in national policies and institutional responses.

Through cooperation with UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, UN Women, the European Union, the Council of Europe and civil society, Moldova continues to strengthen the quality, accessibility and equity of services and to ensure that rights are translated into practice.

Inclusive education and informed decision-making

The Republic of Moldova promotes informed decision-making by integrating health education, sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, human rights and healthy relationships into formal and non-formal education.

This work is also connected to Moldova’s policy objective of increasing the number of men and boys who actively promote gender equality. Through initiatives such as Fathers’ Clubs, positive masculinities, responsible fatherhood, shared care responsibilities and non-violent family relationships, Moldova works to challenge harmful stereotypes and transform social norms.

Through its mandate on gender equality, prevention of violence, child and family protection and social inclusion, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection helps create an environment where women, girls and young people have access to information, support and protection, and can make free and informed decisions about their lives, relationships and future.

Engaging young people and progressive leadership

Moldova recognises young people as active partners in advancing gender equality, bodily autonomy, informed decision-making and violence prevention.

Youth participation is supported through youth-friendly health services, youth centres, volunteer programmes, local youth councils and the newly established Children’s Consultative Councils, launched by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in all districts of the country. These councils give children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 a structured platform to express their views, contribute to decisions that affect them and propose solutions for their communities.

By linking youth participation with its mandate on gender equality, child protection, prevention of violence, social inclusion and support for vulnerable groups, the Ministry helps ensure that policies are shaped not only for young people, but with their participation, leadership and lived experience.

Global and regional engagement

The Republic of Moldova is committed to advancing gender equality, bodily autonomy and the protection of women and girls from violence, discrimination and coercion.

Guided by CEDAW, the Istanbul Convention, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Sustainable Development Goals and its European integration agenda, Moldova works to translate international commitments into national policies, services and institutional practice.

Through cooperation with UN agencies, the European Union, the Council of Europe, civil society and regional partners, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection contributes to stronger protection systems, survivor-centred services and inclusion of vulnerable groups.

As a SheDecides Champion, the Minister brings Moldova’s experience in linking bodily autonomy with gender equality, protection from violence, economic empowerment, social inclusion and human rights standards.

WHENSHE DECIDES