📋 Tender Overview
In line with the priorities of the Governments of Moldova and Switzerland, the project aims to socially and economically empower women, including refugee women from Ukraine, increase their participation in decision-making and the workforce, promote their entrepreneurial activities, and finally contribute to a just, equal, inclusive and resilient society and economy in Moldova. The project will promote gender-responsive policies and initiatives to address key barriers to women's socio-economic inclusion.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Moldova
Employment & economic development
Governance
Conflict & fragility
SME development
Democratic participation and civil society
Conflict prevention
01.07.2024 - 30.06.2028
CHF 8’030’000
The project in brief
Background The Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in closing the gender gap, with representation of women in parliament and district/local councils. Despite this progress, women continue to face significant gender inequalities, particularly in political decision-making, labor force participation, and access to economic opportunities. The gender pay gap persists, with women underrepresented in high-paying sectors and facing barriers to entrepreneurship. Unpaid care work remains undervalued and invisible, pervaded by patriarchal gender norms that see it as a woman's duty. In addition, childcare services are under-developed, limiting women's ability to participate in public life and in labor market. This affects particularly refugees from Ukraine, which are often women with children. All this acts as barriers to women's access to decent work, self-affirmation and well-being. The gender inequalities in Moldova have been exacerbated because of the conflict in Ukraine and its manifold security-related and socio-economic consequences on the Moldovan population (e.g., the gender pay gap has recently increased). Further, because of the economic crisis caused by the war, refugee and Moldovan women need to adopt new gender roles, also in terms of increased economic participation. The project strengthens Switzerland's efforts to promote gender equality both in the governance and in the economic domain, and it contributes to a better socio-economic integration of Ukrainian refugees in Moldova. Ultimately, it fosters inclusive nation-building and resilience in times of crisis.
Objectives Women, including refugees from Ukraine, are socially and economically empowered and have more say in decision-making processes.
Target groups More than 40'000 women and girls, of which some 5'000 refugees from Ukraine directly benefit from the project. Indirectly, more than 240'000 female and male beneficiaries from all regions, including Gagauz and Transnistrian regions, will benefit from the project. Key target groups: young women/ families with children, incl. women with disabilities, Roma women; women entrepreneurs and care workers; public service providers; civil society organizations, incl. employ
