The new service will serve as a bridge between emergency shelters and independent living. While women can currently stay in specialized shelters for up to six months, many face a lack of housing and a stable income once that period ends.
The “Women’s Home” project provides transitional housing for a longer period, as well as comprehensive support—including assistance with employment, vocational training, and psychological and legal counseling.
It is expected that this will enable women to regain financial independence and avoid returning to their abuser due to a lack of alternatives.
The first facilities will be established in Cahul and Ștefan Voda
The first two facilities will be established in the Cahul and Ștefan Voda districts. Viorica Țimbalar, Director General of the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), Viorica Cimbalar, visited the sites to be renovated during a working trip and discussed the project’s implementation with local government officials.
In Cahul, a building with an area of approximately 500 square meters has been allocated for the new center; it is planned to be fully modernized to improve energy efficiency. The two future centers will be equipped with several dozen transitional apartments for women and their children.
In August, representatives of local authorities from the Cahul and Ștefan Vodă districts will visit Iași (Romania), where they will learn from the experience of similar services. The Romanian model will serve as one of the benchmarks for creating a new support system in Moldova.
As noted by the ANPCV, the creation of “Women’s Houses” also aligns with the recommendations of the GREVIO expert group on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, which calls for the development of long-term support mechanisms for victims of violence.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2026. Once the renovation is complete, the new centers will be able to welcome their first clients.
The “Women’s House” service development project is being implemented in Moldova with the support of the World Bank, the Japanese Embassy, the EU Delegation, “Gender-Centru,” and the “Ave copii” Public Association.
