Don’t Blame the Clothes Exhibit
The Homecare Public Association, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Moldova) and the Women’s Law Center, continues the series of exhibitions “Don’t Blame the Clothes” to raise public awareness and combat social stereotypes that perpetuate the phenomenon of sexual violence.
The “Don’t Blame the Clothes” exhibition, inaugurated at the Raisa Pacalo Center of Excellence in Medicine and Pharmacy in Chișinău, showcases the reconstructed clothes of 10 women and adolescent girls from Moldova, victims of abuse or sexual harassment. Through this exhibition, the painful reality of sexual violence is highlighted, emphasizing the need to develop services that ensure gender equality in the Republic of Moldova.
Homecare Director Tamara Adașan, a graduate of this educational institution, stressed the importance of knowing and applying protocols in cases of sexual assault. “It is important to understand the root of this violence and how it should be handled when victims seek medical assistance.”
Nicoleta Cocoță, a lawyer at the Women’s Law Center, underlined the exhibition’s goal of challenging the stereotype that the victim is to blame for the violence they suffer. “If you analyze these exhibits, you will realize just how wrong this stereotype is and how dangerous it is to continue cultivating it. It’s crucial to say stop to these stereotypes, which exacerbate this issue.”
The Director of the Center of Excellence in Medicine and Pharmacy, Mariana Negrean, mentioned that violence in its various forms is a major problem. “Throughout this year, we’ve held several trainings on bullying and bullying prevention, and today we are launching a campaign with the support of our partner, Homecare, and through UNFPA and CDF. We hope this activity succeeds in conveying the seriousness of the problem our society faces.”
The launch event also included a workshop dedicated to discussions about gender-based violence and the social impact of stereotypes, moderated by Nicoleta Cocoță.
In 2022, 21 women were killed, and in 2023, the number increased to 23. This year, Moldovan society was shaken by the murder of Ana Maria, a 19-year-old pregnant woman from Orhei, who was found dead after going missing on April 12. Ana Maria was abducted after getting into a hitchhiked car and was later found dead in a forest. The autopsy revealed that she had been tortured and sexually assaulted before being killed. The main suspect, a man, has been arrested and is accused of intentional murder. This case brought to light serious safety and violence issues against women in Moldova.
The “Don’t Blame the Clothes” exhibition will be open for a week after having previously been displayed at the Medical Colleges in Cahul and Bălți.
This activity is part of the program “Improving access to essential health services and protection against gender-based violence for refugees from Ukraine and those in 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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