StopSexualViolence #UprootingStereotypes: “Don’t Blame the Clothes” Exhibition Raises Awareness in Fălești

The “Don’t Blame the Clothes” exhibition arrived in Fălești today, hosted at the Regional Youth Resource Center for a week. The exhibition aims to raise public awareness about sexual violence while challenging the societal stereotypes that perpetuate it. Organized by the NGO “Homecare” in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Moldova) and the Women’s Law Center, the exhibition seeks to open important conversations on these issues.

During the launch event, Mariana Osadța, Head of the General Directorate of Education and Culture in Fălești, stated, “Moldovan society is dominated by stereotypes that often lead to open or hidden forms of violence, in various ways. Schools are still influenced by stereotypes surrounding clothing, and children are evaluated or self-assessed based on the quality and value of their clothes. This is a deeply flawed approach, as children from poorer families, despite good academic performance, can become victims of bullying or other forms of violence. The ‘Don’t Blame the Clothes’ exhibition will help children in Fălești clearly differentiate between stereotypes and reality, while teaching them to evaluate inappropriate behavior and its risks.”

Mariana Bejenari, Director of the Regional Youth Resource Center, expressed that she welcomed the opportunity to host this exhibition to draw the community’s attention to the issue of sexual violence. She encouraged the audience to promote the event so that as many people as possible could visit the exhibition.

The event also featured participation from Violeta Terguță, UNFPA Analyst, Tamara Adașan, Director of Homecare, and Nicoleta Cocoță, a legal expert from the Women’s Law Center.

Tamara Adașan emphasized the importance of educating young people on the origins of violence and how to respond when victims seek help. Violeta Terguță, Program Analyst for Gender-Based Violence at UNFPA Moldova, pointed out that stereotypes often cause society to overlook sexual violence, and the victim is often blamed rather than supported. She stressed the serious consequences survivors face, such as traumatic injuries, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, social isolation, anxiety, depression, and a higher risk of suicide.

Nicoleta Cocoță, a lawyer from the Women’s Law Center, noted that “most victims choose not to report incidents to the authorities or seek medical help due to these stereotypes, and it’s not just about clothing.”

The launch event also included a workshop moderated by Cocoță, focusing on discussions around gender-based violence and the social impact of stereotypes.

This activity is part of the “Improving Access to Essential Health and Protection Services for Refugees from Ukraine and Host Communities” program, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Moldova) in Moldova and funded by the European Union.

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