CHISINAU, Moldova — A three-year programme of demographic analysis and research activities focused on family and gender issues will be carried out in the Republic of Moldova under a co-financing agreeement signed this week by UNFPA and the Moldovan Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection.

The Generations and Gender Programme will be implemented between 2018–2020 and will include population data collection and development of public-policy scenarios in the demographic sector. An important component of the programme will be the conducting of a large-scale “Generations and Gender Survey” among 10,000 respondents. The survey will study changes in the family structure, intergenerational relationships, family and reproductive behavior and desired fertility, including factors determining whether or not a couple decides to have children.

“The findings of this study will guide us through the process of developing the most effective policies that respond to population dynamics, taking into account the socioeconomic and family situation of the people,” said Svetlana Cebotari, Moldova’s Minister of Health, Labour and Social Protection, who co-signed the agreement with UNFPA. She emphasized the importance of conducting such a study in the Republic of Moldova, and said it will strengthen the government’s ability to identify policy measures to improve the country’s demographic situation.

Minister of Health, Labour and Social Protection Svetlana Cebotari signs the co-financing agreement with UNFPA for carrying out the Generations and Gender Programme in the Republic of Moldova.

The international “Generations and Gender Survey” has been conducted in 24 countries to date and is a global tool for monitoring and responding to demographic changes such as ageing processes, low fertility, changes in the family structure and intergenerational relationships. The study is conducted every three years within a nine-year period. This is the first time the survey will be carried out in Moldova.

“Quality data is essential for a better understanding of the current family structure and the barriers that make it difficult for couples to plan and have the desired number of children. UNFPA Moldova will provide technical assistance and expertise in order to conduct such a large-scale survey in line with international requirements,” said UNFPA Representative Rita Columbia, who co-signed the agreement on behalf of UNFPA.

Rita Columbia, UNFPA Representative, and Eduard Mihalas, UNPFA Programme Analyst on Population and Development.

The conducting of the “Generations and Gender Survey” in Moldova will be done of the basis of the existing international methodology and examples from other countries, as part of a strategic partnership between UNFPA Moldova and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection.

Under the Generations and Gender Programme, the ministry will benefit from the expertise of the UNFPA’s International Advisory Council on Population and Development and will issue a set of policy interventions in the demographic sector. The results of the project will support the implementation of the agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and will contribute to the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals.