By Cyber Era NG Special Correspondent

Strengthening the effective and meaningful participation of women in peace processes, advancing gender equality, fighting gender-based violence and protecting the rights of women and girls was at the centre of a two-day visit to Chisinau by Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Gender, Liliana Palihovici, and OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues, Lara Scarpitta.

In the course of the visit, Special Representative Palihovici and Senior Adviser Scarpitta met  with women negotiators to discuss gender-inclusive peace-making and building capacity of women mediators and women peacebuilders, in order to promote their political participation.

 “In 2022, the OSCE contributed to strengthening the negotiating capacities of women members of the eight working groups established to promote measures to enhance confidence and security in the context of the Transdniestrian settlement. I was pleased to hear from our partners how timely and valuable the training was. This is the first step to ensuring that solutions identified in the negotiation process are suitable and effectively meet the specific needs of women and men living on both sides of the Dniester/Nistru River. This is a concrete step towards building lasting peace, and the OSCE will remain committed to investing in women’s meaningful participation in peace negotiations,” Special Representative Palihovici said.

They also met with representatives of women civil society organizations from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River to enhance support to individuals at risk and survivors of gender-based violence, victims of domestic violence and exploitation.

“Many women-led organizations are at the frontline of protecting survivors of gender-based violence, including domestic violence and online abuse. They are a key partner of the OSCE and they have our full support,” OSCE Senior Adviser Scarpitta said.

In light of the flows of people seeking refuge from the war in Ukraine and strengthening Moldova’s response to these challenges, Special Representative Palihovici and Senior Adviser Scarpitta also visited the FRISPA refugee center.

 Safeguarding the rights and well-being of refugees and ensuring protection against gender-based violence were focus of discussion with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Daniella Misail – Nichitin, responsible for the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Oleg Serebrean. They also met with the Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), Slawomir Pichor, the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation, Erika Hasznos and the UN Women Country Representative, Dominika Stojanoska.