Republic of Moldova

Government jointly with UNDP, UNIFEM & UNFPA launched several statistical publications on demography and gender equality

Chişinău, 19 May 2009 – Gender equality, equity and the empowerment of women are increasingly recognized as essential to the sustainable development of a democratic society. This is grounded on the states commitments to reach the goals and targets under the Millennium Development Goals as well as to fulfil CEDAW Concluding Comments to Moldova from 2000 &2006.

In response to the above challenges, the National Bureau of Statistics elaborated in 2008 the Women & Men in the Republic of Moldova statistical publication with detailed analysis. This statistical publication was commissioned with support of United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) within the UN Joint Project on Strengthening the National Statistical System (UNDP, UNIFEM, UNFPA) with the financial support of the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (Sida). This publication, along with other four statistical publications has been presented today at the launching event on Promoting gender equality & demographic policies through improved data management.

The current statistical publication Women & Men in the Republic of Moldova is the 4th edition since 1999 and published in Romanian and English. It is accompanied by the pocket book, which contains updated statistical data for 2008 and covers the areas such as political participation, demography, labour market, healthcare, education, migration, social protection, criminality, living standards and international statistics.

These publications were commissioned based on data produced by the National Bureau of Statistics and other public state institutions. Compared to previous editions, this publication went through a full review aimed at improving its content and format. Thus, for the first time it comprises an analytical part with brief description of each chapter; new statistical indicators and new chapters were included. Information contained in the statistical publication, however, does not include data about enterprises and organisations situated on the left bank of Nistru river and Bender municipality.

Through these initiatives we offer an efficient tool to decision makers for the elaboration of public policies targeting both women & men and aimed at achieving overall society development goals stated Kaarina Immonen, UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Moldova. In her opinion, women discrimination has high economic and social costs, whilst gender equality contributes to economic growth.

Women & Men in the Republic of Moldova is powered by the Gender Statistics User Guide, elaborated within the Joint Project and aimed at serving as a tool in promoting use of gender statistics by public authorities, academia, mass-media, civil society organisations etc. The current edition of statistical publication Women & Men in the Republic of Moldova with the previous version from 2004 can be found on DVD and can be accessed on NBS webpage: www.statistica.md.

Also, during todays event the UNIFEM Global Report Progress of the worlds women 2008/2009: Who Answers to Women? was launched. This report highlights the challenges that remain for gender equality to be realized in practice, and draws attention to the efforts of millions of women who expose to discrimination, demand redress and have changed the meaning of accountability. It emphasizes the important role that multilateral organizations must play in improving their own accountability and in tracking investments in gender equality. Through this report we can define where Moldova is in advancing gender equality in comparison with other countries as well as determine the necessary national resources to achieve gender equality.

The guide Population: Definitions and indicators is another statistical publication launched at the event on Promoting gender equality and demographic policies through improved data management and is an adapted version of the international edition Population Handbook and is aimed at presenting the terms related to demography to a large group of users including mass-media representative, policy makers, lecturers and any other person interested to understand and discuss population related issues.

For additional information, please contact Aurelia Spataru, Manager of UN Joint Project Strengthening the National Statistical System Project, tel. 40 31 42, E-mail: aurelia.spataru@undp.org or Natalia Costas, communications consultant, tel. 069221141, E-mail:natalia.costas@un.md