Participants of a mentorship programme supported by the project “Women and girls with disabilities present a manifesto calling for inclusion” presented today, 20 February 2023, a public statement. It represents a manifest of women and girls with disabilities, that reiterates their needs and provides a range of solutions to the challenges they face and calls for eliminating stigma and discrimination to create a more inclusive society.

In the Republic of Moldova, people with disabilities face multiple challenges in exercising their rights, and they also encounter difficulties in accessing essential services and livelihoods. Moreover, women and girls with disabilities face double discrimination, exposing them to a higher risk of facing gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, ill treatment and exploitation. Women and girls with disabilities encounter several forms of violence: domestic violence and violence within the community, public and private institutions and educational institutions, which often hinder their access necessary services.

Among the requests put forward in the declaration was the demand to create a group for women with disabilities who know the problems facing people with disabilities in their regions and can get involved in decision-making. The group would work toward improving access to infrastructure and transport, organizing professional training courses, promoting information on rights and ensuring the economic and political empowerment.

Alexei Buzu, the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, said: “The key to addressing the challenges faced by people with disabilities is ensuring their inclusion and respecting their human rights. It is important to find modalities to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the ministry’s programmes and other relevant institutions. I encourage you to get involved in consultation processes. To ensure progress, it is necessary to identify a way to continue this dialogue through technical discussions on concrete topics. I admire your courage. You are a source of inspiration, it was an honour for me to join this event”.

Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova’s Country Representative, stressed the importance of the manifesto in eliminating barriers faced by women with disabilities. "I am glad that we are carrying out this joint project, which addresses issues related to the inclusion of people with disabilities, as well as the elimination of gender-based violence and the promotion of the role of women in society. It is very important for us to work alongside women and be solution-holders for them. The main goal of our discussions since last year was to identify the challenges and barriers they face. I am glad that you have followed up on the idea of formulating a manifest with your solutions to these problems, because you know and understand these aspects best. I believe that most of the proposals put forward in the manifest can be implemented. Some will require more time. Others, less. I am convinced that thanks to this project and the clear actions proposed, we will be able to move things forward. Let's keep this dialogue active".

“I am impressed by the manifest of the women with disabilities that they presented today, where they voice the main challenges they are facing in fulfilling their fundamental rights. This is one more call to unite our efforts and actions for strengthening women’s rights and ending violence and discrimination against women and girls. When obstacles to inclusion are eradicated and women with disabilities are empowered to participate fully in societal life, entire communities will thrive,” said Andrea Cuzyova, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. to the Republic of Moldova.

During the dialogue at which the statement was released, women with disabilities talked about the stigma and discrimination they face, which are shaped by various barriers, prejudices and stereotypes in society.

Diana Boghiu, a signatory of the manifest, said: "No one has ever accepted me as I am. I moved to the city with the hope of being heard and because I wanted a better future".

On that same note, Tatiana Bunescu, a person with an acquired locomotor disability and a signatory of the manifest, stressed that the statemen seeks to make the voices of all women and girls with disabilities heard. "What we want is for the government and public authorities to no longer ignore us because we exist, we are part of society, we want to be integrated. Women with disabilities need professional opportunities, which would allow them to make a living and gain self-esteem. With this declaration, we speak on behalf of all women and girls with disabilities, including those from villages and districts – isolated somewhere, marred by depression and ignorance.”

The dialogue with the Minister of Labor and Social Protection came to encourage the women and girls present at the event to continue to be actively involved in promoting rights and creating opportunities for people with disabilities.