Over 200 people gathered today in Bălți to say together: “Moldova Without Violence!”
More than 200 people joined today in Bălți for the public Manifestation “Moldova Without Violence,” held as part of the international campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” Local communities, civil society organizations, public institutions, and international partners united to amplify this year’s core message: #NOCEXCUSE for digital violence.
The event was organized by the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), in partnership with Gender-Centru Association, AVE Copiii NGO, and the Bălți City Hall, with the involvement of the Bălți Department of Culture, ATAS North–Northwest, Bălți Police Inspectorate, Alecu Russo State University of Bălți (USARB), and numerous specialists, volunteers, and students. The manifestation is part of the project “Women’s Empowerment through GBV Response Services (WEGS)”, financed by the Government of Japan through JSDF and implemented with the support of the World Bank Group — a project that strengthens community and institutional capacities to ensure real access to protection, services, and economic independence for women affected by violence.
In this joint effort, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence leads the national coordination, guiding the strategic direction of the campaign and prevention efforts. In Bălți, ANPCV was represented by Ms. Neli Lelenco, Acting Deputy Director, who emphasized the need to expand actions across all communities and move toward concrete measures: “This year’s campaign marks an important step: a simultaneous mobilization in multiple regions so that our messages reach communities evenly. The legal framework has been strengthened; the next step is action — preventing all forms of violence and promoting respect both online and offline.”
At the legislative level, Member of Parliament Marina Morozova highlighted the reforms set to enter into force in 2026 and the strengthening of the institutional response to violence: “Together with ANPCV, we have worked to improve legislation so that digital violence, stalking, and new forms of abuse do not go unanswered. Beginning February 2026, the law will include harsher penalties, extended protection orders, and intervention mechanisms tailored to today’s realities.”
International support — essential for strengthening services — was reaffirmed by His Excellency Yoichiro Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Moldova, who stressed collective responsibility and women’s economic autonomy:
“Every woman must be the main actor of her own life. It is our shared responsibility to ensure their economic rights, access to protection, and the existence of safe shelters. Our support is a commitment to a Moldova where violence is not tolerated.”
The connection between local efforts and national initiatives was further reinforced through a message delivered in Chișinău by Carolina Odobescu, Country Officer, World Bank Group: “Gender-based violence affects not only lives but also the country’s economic development. Through theWEGS project, we support the economic integration of women affected by violence — through training, resources, entrepreneurial support, and strengthened community services. This contributes directly to their independence and to the resilience of communities.”
The Manifestation in Bălți continued with a symbolic march from Independence Square to the USARB Square, where the event concluded with a group photo and media statements. Students, volunteers, institutional specialists, representatives of the Bălți Police Inspectorate, local authorities, and NGO partners strengthened the visibility of the campaign message, wearing orange accessories and banners — the global color of #OrangeTheWorld.
Closing the event, the manifestation’s moderator and project director, Mariana Buruiana, delivered the shared message of all partner organizations and institutions: “Prevention efforts cannot be carried out by a single institution. Only together — authorities, police, social services, communities, NGOs, and international partners — can we change realities. Today, Bălți has shown that it has the voice, solidarity, and energy to build a Moldova where the dignity of every woman and girl is protected.”
The atmosphere of solidarity and the strong participation reaffirm that preventing violence is a shared responsibility — one that begins in the community and grows through collaboration, accountability, and active engagement.
