Today the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova launched the Women Caucus of the 11th legislature. This is a new framework for inter-institutional cooperation and dialogue that will enable women MPs from the Republic of Moldova, both the parliamentary majority and the opposition, to find a common ground for consolidation and promotion of women's rights in the country.

The Platform will unite its members' efforts to promote equity and equal rights for women, prevention and combating violence against women and domestic violence, but also would help to promote women's independence and economic empowerment, family-friendly policies through legislative initiative and support.

The launching event is organized by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova with the support from UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women and UNICEF Moldova, which will further contribute to strengthening the Platform's capacities.

The Parliament of the 11th legislature, instituted as a result of early elections as of 11 July 2021, has a record number of women MPs in the history of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova: 40 seats belong to women.

"The introduction of a 40 percent electoral gender quota for parliamentary and local elections, an affirmative measure supported by UN Moldova is efficient, having so many women in today’s Parliament. However, to progress towards parity in decision-making, we need to simultaneously address the tremendous deterrents women face in entering politics, ranging from gender bias and stereotypes to physical and online violence and abuse, in addition to lack of financing and support from political parties," said Valeria Ieșeanu, Officer in Charge, UNDP Moldova.

In 2015, UNDP and the Government of Sweden supported creation of the first Women Caucus of the Moldovan Parliament. In 2020, four UN entities (UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA and UNICEF) joined their efforts to launch Moldova's Platform of Women MPs of the 10th legislature.