What Is the Impact of Women's Economic Empowerment Programmes Implemented in Moldova, and How Can Their Effectiveness Be Improved

Moldova has the lowest employment rate in Europe and the lowest income per capita, and women are particularly affected. Although the World Economic Forum's 2020 gender inequality index ranked the country 23rd out of 153, women still face inequalities. The authors find that empowerment programmes are at an early stage, mostly externally funded, and that very few target women from vulnerable groups, who often face stereotypes and self-doubt.

The recommendations are addressed to development agencies, the government and the education system. One of them is to increase the number of kindergartens. Sergiu Gaibu argued that childcare is the fundamental obstacle to women's employment, and that new standards allowing small family kindergartens with lighter requirements could turn it into a business opportunity. The study ran from May to November 2020 and covered programmes of ODIMM, EBRD, UN Women Moldova, UNDP Moldova, ADA Moldova, EBA, Prime Capital, BRD and the NGO TAKEDU.