Don’t Blame the Clothes” Exhibition Raises Awareness on Gender-Based Violence
The Homecare Association, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Moldova) and the Women’s Law Centre, inaugurated the exhibition “Don’t Blame the Clothes” at the Medical College in Bălți. The exhibition, which gathered around 100 students, features recreated outfits of 10 women and adolescent girls from Moldova, who have been victims of abuse or sexual harassment.
The purpose of the exhibition is to bring attention to and challenge the social stereotypes that perpetuate sexual violence. It aims to highlight the harsh reality of sexual violence and the need to develop services to ensure gender equality in Moldova.
Tamara Adașan, Director of Homecare, stated at the opening event that organizing this exhibition within educational institutions such as medical colleges is not coincidental. “As future doctors, you will need to know how to apply protocols in cases of sexual assault. It is important to understand the sources of this violence and how to treat victims when they seek medical help.” Adașan was impressed by the large number of volunteers from the Bălți Medical College working at the REBECA Medico-Social Center, highlighting their high level of compassion and willingness to support those in need.
Violeta Terguță, Gender-Based Violence Program Analyst at UNFPA Moldova, noted, “Sexual violence is the third most common form of violence in Moldova. In the past year, the police registered 222 cases of rape and 282 cases of violent sexual acts. Stereotypes, however, make us overlook this form of violence. Victims face traumatic injuries, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, social isolation, anxiety, depression, and a higher risk of suicide.”
Nicoleta Cocoță, a lawyer at the Women’s Law Centre, emphasized, “Most victims choose not to report the incident to law enforcement or seek medical help because of stereotypes. And when we talk about stereotypes, it’s not just about clothing. We encourage every case of gender-based violence, whether physical, psychological, sexual, spiritual, or any other type, to be reported. The Women’s Law Centre strives, with all available resources, to assist those going through such situations.”
Andrei Sochircă, Director of the Bălți Medical College, pointed out, “The exhibition and the accompanying workshop provide a valuable example for the students, both as adolescents and future doctors, to understand what gender-based violence is and its sources. 95% of our students are girls, and the activities at the college will give them more confidence and informational support for situations they may face as future healthcare professionals.”
The launch event included a workshop on gender-based violence and the social impact of stereotypes on victims of sexual violence, moderated by Nicoleta Cocoță.
The “Don’t Blame the Clothes” exhibition will be open for a week at the Bălți Medical College, following its previous showing at the Cahul Medical College.
This activity is part of the program “Improving Access to Essential Health Services and Protection against Gender-Based Violence for Refugees from Ukraine and Host Communities,” supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Moldova) in the Republic of Moldova and funded by the European Union.
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