The People’s Advocate Office (PAO) has submitted its Shadow Report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in the context of the review of the Republic of Moldova’s seventh periodic report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
The PAO prepared the report based on its findings from exercising its mandate, including monitoring activities, examining complaints, and preparing thematic and annual reports.
In the report, the PAO draws attention to persistent challenges in ensuring the effective protection of the rights of women and girls, particularly regarding access to justice, the prevention and combating of gender-based violence, employment, access to education, and health care services.
Gender-based violence remains one of the principal concerns. Although the Republic of Moldova has strengthened its legislative framework, including regulations on new forms of violence, the PAO emphasises the need to ensure effective implementation of laws and provide real, efficient protection for victims. Particular attention is given to women and girls in vulnerable situations, including women with disabilities and girls affected by online violence and sexual exploitation.
Women are still affected by inequalities in the labour market. The report highlights persistent disparities in employment and payment between women and men, as well as the disproportionate impact of family and caregiving responsibilities on women’s participation in professional life. In this regard, the PAO underscores the need to expand accessible care services and promote a more equitable sharing of family responsibilities.
Education remains a key area for preventing inequalities and vulnerabilities. The PAO draws attention to the situation of girls and young women from vulnerable groups, especially Roma girls, who face increased risks of school dropout, intergenerational poverty, and early marriage.
Access to sexual and reproductive health services requires continuous attention. The report highlights the importance of ensuring accessible services, inclusively for women and girls who face geographic, economic, or mobility-related barriers. It also points to the ongoing need to strengthen education on sexual and reproductive health, as well as to improve adolescents’ access to information and services adjusted to their necessities.
A cross-cutting issue highlighted in the report is the need for the systematic collection and publication of disaggregated data, including by sex, age, and other relevant characteristics. High-quality data are essential for identifying inequalities, assessing the impact of public policies, and monitoring progress in the realisation of women’s rights.
At the same time, the People’s Advocate Office also notes that it does not have effective physical or informational access to the Transnistria region for the purpose of conducting independent monitoring activities, thus limiting its ability to evaluate compliance with the rights guaranteed under the Convention in that region.
By submitting its Shadow Report, the People’s Advocate Office contributes to the dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the CEDAW Committee, providing an independent perspective on both the progress achieved and the challenges that persist in ensuring gender equality and the protection of the rights of women and girls.
The Shadow Report is submitted in the context of the 93rd session of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which will take place from October 5, 2026 to October 30, 2026.
The full Shadow Report is available at: https://ombudsman.md/en/post-document/shadow-report-submitted-by-the-peoples-advocate-office-to-the-un-committee-on-the-elimination-of-discrimination-against-women-93rd-session-october-5-october-30-2026-2/
