MOLDOVA

Government
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova became an independent country. It is a parliamentary democracy and the Community Party currently runs its government. In 1994, the Moldovan constitution established a government comprised of a president, cabinet, parliament, and judiciary. The Moldovan population contains three separate ethnic groups, tied respectively to Russia, Romania, and Turkey. The breakaway Trans-dniester region in the East is inhabited mainly by Ukrainian and Russian speakers, who declared their independence from Moldova in 1990. This independence has never been recognized and has cost thousands of lives. Currently, Moldova does not control the Trans-dniester region, resulting in a total state of lawlessness. In the Southwest, the Gagauz region's Turkish-speaking minority also has ambitions to secede, but the plans are currently at a political standstill. The total population of Moldova is at roughly 4.3 million (UN 2003), and the major languages are Moldovan and Russian.

Economy
Moldova has severe financial problems. The average annual income is less than 400 dollars, and the country has a large foreign debt. Over 82 percent of Moldovans live under what is referred to as the official 'sustenance minimum.' While Moldova's Communist President, Vladimir Voronin, promised cheaper food and higher wages in his 2001 election campaign, these things have yet to materialize. Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990, the economy has shrunk by two-thirds. This has left many citizens homeless and/or unemployed.

Media and Human Rights
One of the main concerns of human rights activists is media harassment. On January 1, 2003, a new criminal code was to come into effect, providing for up to five years imprisonment for defamation. Romanian media outlets are heavily censored, and often prevented from airing or publishing their work. Additionally, many journalists and newspapers are subjected to harassment when reporting on corruption of the government. For this reason, many Moldovans perceive the media as weak and ineffective in informing them of the true political and economic situation in their country. Judges and other government officials are considered to be largely influenced by corporations. There are restrictions on freedom of association, and harassment of minorities and religious groups has been reported on many occasions. While citizens are allowed to change their government, those attempting to do so have been subjected to illegal searches and seizures.

Gender Issues
One of the biggest challenges facing women and girls in Moldova is trafficking. While there are reports of government officials being directly involved in the trafficking trade, Moldova participated in the 2002 second CD Ministerial Meeting in Seoul, Republic of Korea, an international trafficking conference. On February 14, 2002, Parliament ratified the International Labor Organization Convention (ILO) 182 protecting children against the worst forms of child labor, which is scheduled to enter into force in the country on June 14, 2003. Of the 412 trafficking files opened last year, three convictions were made, with one appeal. Victims of trafficking are required to testify against their traffickers in court. Due to fear of retaliation and the stigma associated with the crime, victims often refuse to take the stand against their violators. Currently, the law provides for a witness protection program for those who do testify in court. Furthermore, one women's rights activist stated that over 10,000 Moldovan women and girls are currently working as prostitutes in other countries. While this number is not verifiable, many other NGOs claim this is a wildly conservative figure.

Other challenges facing women are poverty and domestic violence. The Penal Code of Moldova does not provide direct legislation prohibiting domestic violence. However, prosecutors may turn to other applicable areas of the Penal Code for prosecution. Currently, for light bodily injury, an abuser can expect to spend no more than 1 month in jail. Rape and spousal rape are also punishable under the law. However, cases are rarely reported due to the victims' fear of retaliation and shame of discussing family matters in public. A woman's case against a rapist is completely reliant on a medical examiners 'certification' of her injuries.

Many men leave the country in search of jobs. Wives and daughters remain to support the family in dire economic conditions. Many have incomplete educations and are not skilled in any particular trade. Job skills programs are among the many things needed to better equip women to enter the work force. Domestic violence is widespread, and there are few organizations dealing with the problem.

FAIR Fund and Moldova
More information coming soon on FAIR Fund's partners in Moldova.