The Centre of Public Integrity (CIP) story !!! 1

The mission  Since 2009, the Centre of Public Integrity (CIP) started to promote the rights of women and children.  In addition, it provides social rehabilitation for persons from families with unfavorable living conditions.  In parallel, CPI reveals the needs of poor families of the entire Cahul region which includes 55 smaller villages through social marketing campaigns and instructional seminars. 2

The donors Thanks to different donors and expanding our membership we have been able to continue our crucial mission to support victims of domestic violence and promote the rights of women and youth in the South of Moldova. Also, the outreach to villages through our seminars, the enormous success of our first ever women’s empowerment week and the continuation of our 16 Days of Non-Violence Campaign, the Centre of Public Integrity (CIP) has had a range of successful years. 3

The beneficiaries More specifically, we have seen a significant change in our beneficiaries.  The women that we encounter are more confident and no longer tolerate abuse – instead of ignoring the situation; they are confronting and ending it.  We were also able to implement a massive public relations strategy to advertise our Center as well as inform citizens in Cahul about women’s rights and legislation to protect those rights.  As a result, the Centre of Public Integrity (CIP) and our work/activities have been featured on local TV, in the regional newspaper and on national radio. 4

Direct Beneficiaries/Target Groups:  Single parents in Cahul region (approximately 2,000 single parent families, majority are women);  Children of single parents, or those who have parents abroad or divorced parents in Cahul (approximately 500 children whose parents are divorced and 1,200 whose parents are abroad);  Women and children who are victims of domestic violence (approximately 325 women and 75 children);  Participants in instructional seminars (approximately 300 women in villages and 300 children in selected schools). 5

Indirect Beneficiaries: Team of volunteers from State University of Cahul (8, ages: years old); Team of volunteers from Ion Voda High School (20, age: 16 years old); Team of volunteers from the Colegio Industrial Pedagogic (Industrial Pedagogic High School) (35, age 15 – 21 years old) Team of community volunteers from Cahul town (10, ages: 15-18); Indirect beneficiaries from regional campaigns and publicity (population of the Cahul region, approximately 175, 000 people). 6

Our activities in the entire Cahul region:  Free service of legal and psychological counseling.  Instructional seminars to decrease violent phenomenon in rural locales for adults and children.  Monthly self-help support group meetings for women.  Monthly meetings with youth volunteers on various topics addressing how they can be active, responsible citizens. 7

Annual Campaign entitled “16 Days of Non-Violence” In conjunction with several national women’s organizations in Moldova we organized:  Campaign kick-off with a 50 woman march through the center of Cahul on the International Day against violence against Women.  Organization of 3 mini-campaigns in rural villages (Pelinei, Cucoara and Zirneşti)  Hosting a seminar on Eradicating Violence in Families for women NGO leaders in the raion of Cahul.  Informal roundtable Coffee Talk discussion with various key decision-makers commemorating International Human Rights Day.  Annual Campaign entitled “A Woman Can Change the World!” in conjunction with local public administrations and the State University of Cahul (B.P. Hasdeu). 8

No violence among youth! More recently our activities have focused on the vulnerable Moldovan youth (especially maturing girls) whose parents are often abroad and who lack positive role models. Our goal is to prevent violence as well as encourage community activism in an effort to increase their self-esteem and proper decision making skills.  Produce and distribute info – materials with the assistance of Center’s volunteers in order to educate youth on gender equality, human rights and gender based violence.  Organize 5 regional informational campaigns entitled “Stop Violence” in the rural villages of Chircani, Andruşul de Sus, Colibaşi, Gavanoasa and Manta.  Conduct 10 workshops on gender based violence prevention for youth in Chircani, Andruşul de Sus, Colibaşi, Gavanoasa and Paşcani.  The Implementation of European Youth Foundation project in the period of 01/07/ /07/2011 about Human Rights Education

Women in rural villages As an evident fact from our activities, our organization's momentum and mission can not stop here. For 2012, we are aiming to expand our efforts to empower and to educate women in rural villages to get active in their communities to better their situations. Unfortunately, statistics says that 27% of women in Moldova are victims of domestic violence. Sadly, based on our own experience we may mention that the real figures are higher. Additionally, the situation is much more worse in rural areas, villages. 10

Future visions and expectations  Due to the enforcement of the newly implemented domestic violence legislation, the Regional Plan for Cahul is to implement a shelter for victims of domestic violence. With the support of our donors to continue or services and work, we have been honored to work with the implementation/research team which includes local organizations, politicians and some of our permanent national partners.  The Centre of Public Integrity (CIP) has also been able to participate in a work exchange with Romania to learn how this new member of the European Union is preventing domestic violence. Our final goal is to develop a database together to accurately register the victims of domestic violence in an attempt to gain more support and resources.  While we have made much progress as a team and as an organisation, it is necessary for the Centre of Public Integrity (CIP) to continue our work preventing and supporting victims of domestic violence as well as promoting gender equality in the entire Cahul region. 11

Contact Information: The Centre of Public Integrity (CPI) 12 Republicii St, ap.20 Cahul, Moldova Phone 00(373), , , WEBB: 12