last updated December 2008

According to the U.N. Development Programme, Moldova has elaborated several national action plans. On 15 January 1998, the government adopted the Primordial Action Plan to Improve the Status of Women and Increase her Role in Society. Its main goals were to develop machinery to facilitate the advancement of women, monitor the status of women, guarantee women's socio-economic rights, protect women's health and family planning, and prevent violence against women. According to Seeline-Project, the plan was never fully elaborated or implemented due to lack of funding. On 9 November 2001, the Moldovan government adopted a national plan for fighting trafficking in human beings, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection adopted a program for its implementation on 4 January 2002. On 28 February 2003, the government adopted the National Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality in Society. The primary objectives were to eliminate gender discrimination on the labor market, increase public awareness of gender issues, educate society about gender equality issues, develop machinery in gender equality, protect women's health and combat violence against women, men and children.

Beginning in 1999, the Moldovan Parliament took steps to develop a National Human Rights Action Plan for the years 2004-2008.  The overall goal was to promote human rights by identifying priority areas, improving coordination, establishing timelines and allocating responsibilities.  Parliament established a Coordinating Committee to collaborate with UNDP and Global HURIST (Human Rights Strengthening) Programme to create and implement the Plan.  It was completed in 2003 and approved by Parliament the same year.  In particular, Chapter 11 addressed women’s rights.  The first goal was to create equal opportunities for men and women.  To do this, the government of Moldova would promote equal opportunities, eliminate sexism, discrimination and stereotypes, and ensure equal opportunities in the labor market.  To meet the second goal of preventing violence against women, the government of Moldova would focus on combating domestic violence.  After Parliament asked its partners to help put the plan into action, UNDP and others organized to launch an implementation plan from 2004-2006.  They focused on increasing public awareness, and supporting governmental- and non-governmental units’ abilities to implement the plan.

The Government of Moldova also has a joint action plan with the European Union covering 2004-2007, created shortly after Moldova joined the EU in 2004.  Among several other priorities for action, the EU/Moldova Action Plan (PDF, 46 pages) includes ensuring social and economic gender equality, ratifying the “Palermo” Convention and its Protocol to combat trafficking in women and children, and combating sexual exploitation and pornography of women and children.

Finally, in 2005, Moldova established a National Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings.  Section I covers General Measures Moldova will take against trafficking, while Section II covers Specific Measures the government will take against trafficking in children.  Each Section addresses the relevant assistance framework, prevention issues, and victim and witness assistance and protection.  Section I also covers investigation and prosecution of traffickers.

Compiled from:

EU/Moldova Action Plan, European Union and Government of the Republic of Moldova (2004) (PDF, 46 pages).

Implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan in the Republic of Moldova, UNDP Moldova (last accessed December 2008) (PDF, 2 pages).

National Human Rights Action Plan of the Republic of Moldova for 2004-2008, Government of the Republic of Moldova, Parliament Resolution No. 415-XV (24 October 2003) (PDF, 68 pages).

National Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Government of the Republic of Moldova, Government Decision No. 903/25.08.2005, entered into force 9 September 2005 (PDF, 27 pages).