“Change starts with us and everyone's impact matters,” said Vadim Saviuc, 18, an amateur actor, from Falesti, in north-western Moldova. 

Mr. Saviuc is one of a troupe of 30 young actors who performed in a theatre play, "Gift for you", throughout Moldova in 2021 and 2022. The aim of the play, written by Mariana Starciuc, is to help change attitudes about gender roles and stereotypes by combining an entertaining performance with a positive message about gender to society.

“The goal of the performance is to send a message that things can be different without stereotypes, stigma or discrimination," said Olesea Vladica, project manager at the Institutum Virtutes Civilis Public Association.

Constraining gender stereotypes persist in Moldova and are reflected in household dynamics. According to a recent study, 60 per cent of men in Moldova think it is better for preschool children to have a mother who does not work and 60 per cent of women state that they are primarily responsible for performing unpaid domestic tasks limiting their ability to participate in the workforce.

The play tackles stereotypes of men and women in society. The main character, Anna, is a young woman fighting expectations about how she should dress, conduct herself and what job she should do.

”Everyone is free and has the power to make changes,” said Ms. ​​Vladica. “Boys and girls, women and men are different, but they are equal. We are all equal in rights, obligations, responsibilities and choices and a person's gender does not have to play a role in this.”

So far, the theatre troupe has held 12 performances in 12 communities in the districts of Straseni, Falesti, Ialoveni, and Rezina, to over 2,000 people.

“I certainly feel the influence of gender stereotypes in my life," said Catalina Botnar, 17, from Straseni, in central Moldova. "Stereotypes have a negative impact on me at school and in the home environment, where my parents educate me according to stereotypical social codes.”

Every performance is followed by a discussion with the audience about the harm of gender stereotypes.

“The EU 4 Gender Equality programme seeks innovative ways to promote gender equality in the six Eastern Partnership countries and social theatre is a great tool to inspire social change," said Dilara Buyuktas, Programme Associate for the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" programme. "This is especially empowering for youth, as thinking creatively is in their nature."

The performances were organized by the Institutum Virtutes Civilis Public Association in the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" programme, funded by the European Union, and implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA.

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of UN Women and UNFPA and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.