OSCE Mission to Moldova concludes series of seminars on addressing gender inequalities and combating domestic violence

On 8 December 2015, the OSCE Mission to Moldova held the last in a series of seminars for college and university students on gender equality, domestic violence and family counselling. The final seminar, held in Balti, provided 35 students and teachers of social work with information on assisting the victims of domestic violence and on rehabilitating the perpetrators of domestic violence.

During the event, participants were provided with practical information on the services available for victims of domestic violence and engaged in discussions on the importance of taking a victim-oriented approach. Participants also gained insight from those working in shelters for the victims of domestic violence, including the need for efficient co-operation with law enforcement bodies, as well as providing assistance to both the victim and the perpetrator.

“Learning the techniques of working with victims of domestic violence will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening the professional skills of future and existing psychologists, family counsellors and social workers,” says Valentina Bodrug-Lungu, a Professor in the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the Moldovan State University. “Unfortunately, response to domestic violence is a subject that is not adequately covered by the national curricula, but this seminar has given us the impetus to address that.”

The seminar took place as part of a project to promote gender equality and combat domestic violence implemented jointly by the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the NGO Gender Centru. Over the course of the project, more than 310 students and teachers of social work from colleges and universities in Balti, Cahul, Chisinau and Comrat took part in seven seminars and two trainings that aimed to strengthen gender equality and tackle domestic violence.