On 9 April 2024, over 50 experts, representatives from specialised ministries and agencies, and civil society members, were introduced to new Guidelines for social workers, a collaborative effort between the Council of Europe and the Ministry of labour and social protection. Rodica Moraru-Chilimar, national consultant for the Council of Europe, presented the comprehensive guidelines, tailored to empower social workers with the essential skills to prevent, protect, and intervene in cases of violence against women and domestic violence. The guidelines stand as a cornerstone in the collective efforts to address such issues from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Felicia Bechtoldt, State Secretary for labour and social protection, highlighted the importance of the Guidelines for social workers and outlined ongoing efforts to enhance the legal framework that regulates the activities of multidisciplinary teams, which will improve the services provided to victims of domestic violence.

The guidelines will serve as training material during the upcoming series of three cascade trainings designed for social workers/assistants working with victims of violence against women and domestic violence.

The event was organised by the MMPS with the support of the Council of Europe in the framework of the project "Supporting the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the Republic of Moldova".