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UN Women Executive Board makes landmark field visit to Moldova and Ukraine

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has disproportionately affected women and girls, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities and exposing them to heightened risks of gender-based violence, economic instability, and displacement. Russia’s full-scale invasion has not only disrupted their lives but placed an immense burden on women and girls.

Panama Ambassador and President of the UN Women Executive Board Markova Concepción Jaramillo, accompanied by the ambassadors of Sweden and Côte d'Ivoire, and representatives from Poland, conducted a landmark visit to Moldova, Ukraine, and Poland from 14 to 24 May 2024, to strengthen partnerships and advance gender equality amidst the challenging context of the region. The Executive Board is the governing body responsible for providing intergovernmental support and overseeing the operational activities of UN Women.

  • UN Women Executive Board concludes their visit to Moldova by connecting with women producers at a local market supported by UN Women. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board concludes their visit to Moldova by connecting with women producers at a local market supported by UN Women. Photo: UN Women
  • placinta
    In Ungheni, Moldova, UN Women Executive Board meets with Olesea Plăcintă, a mother of four who started her own agricultural business with UN Women's support. Photo: UN Women/Anna Galatonova
  • UN Women Executive Board meets women entrepreneurs from Moldova and Ukraine to learn about their challenges, successes, and the impact of UN Women’s economic empowerment programs. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board meets women entrepreneurs from Moldova and Ukraine to learn about their challenges, successes, and the impact of UN Women’s economic empowerment programs. Photo: UN Women
  • UN Women Executive Board meets with Adrian Efros, Minister of Internal Affairs; Daniela Misail-Nichitin, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection; and Mihov Sergiu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board meets with Adrian Efros, Minister of Internal Affairs; Daniela Misail-Nichitin, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection; and Mihov Sergiu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: UN Women
  • UN Women Executive Board visits the Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence in Ungheni, Moldova. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board visits the Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence in Ungheni, Moldova. Photo: UN Women
  • UN Women Executive Board visits a refurbished community center supporting the local and refugee community in Selemet, Moldova, and meets women mayors to discuss challenges women face while running for office. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board visits a refurbished community center supporting the local and refugee community in Selemet, Moldova, and meets women mayors to discuss challenges women face while running for office. Photo: UN Women
  • UN Women Executive Board engages in fruitful discussions with civil society, and local authorities on challenges in promoting gender equality in Moldova, and how UN Women can strengthen its support to women’s rights organizations. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board engages in fruitful discussions with civil society, and local authorities on challenges in promoting gender equality in Moldova, and how UN Women can strengthen its support to women’s rights organizations. Photo: UN Women
  • UN Women Executive Board meets the Prime Minister of Moldova, Dorin Recean to further strengthen collaboration and UN Women's support to the Government of Moldova. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board meets the Prime Minister of Moldova, Dorin Recean to further strengthen collaboration and UN Women's support to the Government of Moldova. Photo: UN Women
  • UN Women Executive Board members visit iHUB and the National Association of Private ICT Companies, engaging with Moldovan and Ukrainian women entrepreneurs who are benefiting from UN Women's livelihood programmes. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board members visit iHUB and the National Association of Private ICT Companies, engaging with Moldovan and Ukrainian women entrepreneurs who are benefiting from UN Women's livelihood programmes. Photo: UN Women
  • UN Women Executive Board engages with Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, recognizing their leadership in ensuring equal rights and implementing the National Action Plan 1325. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board engages with Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, recognizing their leadership in ensuring equal rights and implementing the National Action Plan 1325. Photo: UN Women
  • UN Women Executive Board engages in discussions with Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Policy in Ukraine, highlighting Ukraine's efforts in gender-responsive recovery and EU accession. Photo: UN Women
    UN Women Executive Board engages in discussions with Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Policy in Ukraine, highlighting Ukraine's efforts in gender-responsive recovery and EU accession. Photo: UN Women
    • UN Women Executive Board concludes their visit to Moldova by connecting with women producers at a local market supported by UN Women. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board concludes their visit to Moldova by connecting with women producers at a local market supported by UN Women. Photo: UN Women
    • placinta
      In Ungheni, Moldova, UN Women Executive Board meets with Olesea Plăcintă, a mother of four who started her own agricultural business with UN Women's support. Photo: UN Women/Anna Galatonova
    • UN Women Executive Board meets women entrepreneurs from Moldova and Ukraine to learn about their challenges, successes, and the impact of UN Women’s economic empowerment programs. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board meets women entrepreneurs from Moldova and Ukraine to learn about their challenges, successes, and the impact of UN Women’s economic empowerment programs. Photo: UN Women
    • UN Women Executive Board meets with Adrian Efros, Minister of Internal Affairs; Daniela Misail-Nichitin, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection; and Mihov Sergiu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board meets with Adrian Efros, Minister of Internal Affairs; Daniela Misail-Nichitin, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection; and Mihov Sergiu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: UN Women
    • UN Women Executive Board visits the Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence in Ungheni, Moldova. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board visits the Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence in Ungheni, Moldova. Photo: UN Women
    • UN Women Executive Board visits a refurbished community center supporting the local and refugee community in Selemet, Moldova, and meets women mayors to discuss challenges women face while running for office. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board visits a refurbished community center supporting the local and refugee community in Selemet, Moldova, and meets women mayors to discuss challenges women face while running for office. Photo: UN Women
    • UN Women Executive Board engages in fruitful discussions with civil society, and local authorities on challenges in promoting gender equality in Moldova, and how UN Women can strengthen its support to women’s rights organizations. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board engages in fruitful discussions with civil society, and local authorities on challenges in promoting gender equality in Moldova, and how UN Women can strengthen its support to women’s rights organizations. Photo: UN Women
    • UN Women Executive Board meets the Prime Minister of Moldova, Dorin Recean to further strengthen collaboration and UN Women's support to the Government of Moldova. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board meets the Prime Minister of Moldova, Dorin Recean to further strengthen collaboration and UN Women's support to the Government of Moldova. Photo: UN Women
    • UN Women Executive Board members visit iHUB and the National Association of Private ICT Companies, engaging with Moldovan and Ukrainian women entrepreneurs who are benefiting from UN Women's livelihood programmes. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board members visit iHUB and the National Association of Private ICT Companies, engaging with Moldovan and Ukrainian women entrepreneurs who are benefiting from UN Women's livelihood programmes. Photo: UN Women
    • UN Women Executive Board engages with Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, recognizing their leadership in ensuring equal rights and implementing the National Action Plan 1325. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board engages with Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, recognizing their leadership in ensuring equal rights and implementing the National Action Plan 1325. Photo: UN Women
    • UN Women Executive Board engages in discussions with Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Policy in Ukraine, highlighting Ukraine's efforts in gender-responsive recovery and EU accession. Photo: UN Women
      UN Women Executive Board engages in discussions with Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Policy in Ukraine, highlighting Ukraine's efforts in gender-responsive recovery and EU accession. Photo: UN Women

    In Moldova, the Executive Board engaged with government officials, civil society representatives, local authorities, private sector partners, and beneficiaries, to observe UN Women’s on-the-ground initiatives and their impact firsthand. Meetings emphasized the strategic partnership with UN Women in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Moldova. Discussions also covered women’s economic empowerment, with interactions with more than 30 women entrepreneurs from Moldova’s Ungheni district.

    In Ukraine, the mission assessed the repercussions of the armed conflict on women and girls, their needs, and UN Women's support in promoting gender-governance. Discussions with Government Commissioner for Gender Policy Kateryna Levchenko and the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine addressed mechanisms for ensuring gender equality, gender mainstreaming in Ukraine's recovery and European integration efforts, initiatives combatting sexual violence related to the conflict with Russia, and implementation of the National Action Plan 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.

    The Executive Board heard firsthand accounts from beneficiaries of UN Women-led programmes promoting women's empowerment and entrepreneurship, as well as residents of Borodyanka and Bucha, areas formerly occupied by Russian forces. 

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