Single-phase project: Enhancing Peace and Economic Prosperity through Women's Leadership and Inclusion (Women for Peace & Prosperity)

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.

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. employers and workers' associations; central and local public authorities; private sector entities; rural communities and refugee hosting communities.

Outcome 1: Women increasingly engage in public decision making, peace building and social cohesion and contribute to more gender-responsive policies and budgets

Outcome 2: Women, including the most disadvantaged, have better access to economic and oppertunities and decent employment and entrepreneurship

Expected results:  

Output 1.1: Increase the capacities of local authorities to develop and implement gender-responsive legal frameworks, policies and budgets

Output 1.2: Increase the capacity of women and girls to participate in public life and decision-making

Output 1.3: Increase capacities and resources of the government and non-government actors to address the humanitarian crisis, sustain peace through dialogue platforms and increased community inclusion

Output 2.1: Strengthen and implement regulatory frameworks, policies and institutions to promote the economic empowerment of women

Output 2.2: Facilitate the equal access to decent work through alternative childcare services

Output 2.3: Enhance the crisis resilience and utilize resources of enterprises to generate decent employment and enhance productivity and competitiveness