Press releases

Honorary guest of the National Women’s Forum of Moldova was Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Pavel Filip. He came with a message of support and encouragement for women who have embarked on business, noting that the promotion and support of women remains a priority of the government. The Prime Minister awarded government honorary diplomas “for innovative spirit, business performance and active involvement in the development of female entrepreneurship” to 8 female entrepreneurs. These are: Alina Daraban, Iuliana Cojocaru, Ana Popov Ludmila Prociuc, Ludmila Creciun, Doina Izman, Olga Kizilov, Oxana bumble.

At the same time, Iulia Costin, President of the National Women’s Platform of Moldova, received the Government’s honorary diploma “for supporting innovative ideas, engaging in the promotion of female entrepreneurship and contributing to sustainable economic growth”.

Yulia COSTIN, President of the National Women’s Platform of Moldova stressed that women are playing an increasingly important role in the business world, which shows that they are achieving excellence in the areas in which they work. “For 6 years with the Platform members, we have been developing and supporting the Moldovan female business environment both nationally and internationally. Our community is unique, dynamic and reaches out to all women who want to start a business or already have a successful career. Moldovan women account for 27 % of business in Moldova, and the majority – 85 % – are in urban areas, 60 % of which are in the capital. The gap between women’s work in the village and the city remains wide, so it is important to support rural women in particular, "said Iulia Costin.

Guest of Honour Anna AKHALKATSI, Country Manager of the World Bank Office in Moldova reiterated the importance of encouraging women to develop a business. “We need to support women who want to start a business and increase the programmes that help them, thus tackling gender equality and migration”.

In the context of the theme of Forum 2018 “Woman and MIGRATION”, Ulziisuren Jamsran, UN Moldova Country Representative stressed the need to study the factors influencing migration. “A third of migrants are women, every fifth person goes to Russia and every third person to Italy. Out of ten women who have emigrated, five return and invest in the family, buy a home. Ten in ten women invest in studies because they turn out to be the most valuable, "said Ulziisuren Jamsran.

The Forum presented the results of the implementation of the ‘Women in Business’ national programme, successful models for harnessing female potential in the regions, and discussed the effects of migration on the economy, the labour market and society.

Eugenia SÎLI, manager of the National Women in Business Programme informed about the opportunities for women entrepreneurs to explore their potential, to put into practice ideas and visions they have not yet been able to realise for some reasons. “Through the Women in Business Programme to date, 408 women have been trained and 201 investment projects have been approved for grant funding under the two calls for projects carried out in 2018. At this stage, the Programme foresees two more calls for projects, which is why I invite women to apply to realise their dream”.

The National Women’s Forum in Moldova provided a forum for women entrepreneurs and civil society representatives to discuss, exchange views and identify solutions in the field of women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship promotion.

Furthermore, the Forum hosted the award ceremony. The ‘Feminin Entrepreneurship Gala 2018’ competition. Thus, 7 women were awarded for outstanding results in entrepreneurial activity: Alexandrina Bîrsan, Anastasia Cunețchi, Nadejda Josan, Natalia Sajin, Lucia Gavriliță, Tatiana Zavtoni-Oprea.

The entrepreneur of the year was designated Ala Pilipețcaia. The winners received cash prizes and price gifts from event partners. ODIMM offered vouchers for advice and mentoring.

Finally, the participants adopted the resolution of the National Women’s Forum of Moldova 2018. The document reiterated its adherence to international standards, the provisions of SDG 5 of the 2030 Agenda, as well as Moldova’s commitments in the field, and made a number of proposals: creating a fund to support female entrepreneurship and favourable conditions for attracting investment, promoting business initiatives among young people and ensuring that as many women in rural areas as possible have access to entrepreneurial training in the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills, regardless of religion, geographical area, social group and ethnicity.