Olympus Blog

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in 3 women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most often by an intimate partner, and 33% of women have been victims of physical and /or sexual from the age of 15. And in the Republic of Moldova, family violence is a painful subject. More and more resounding cases of violence against women are being publicized in our country, and hundreds of women are still suffering in silence. Violence against women has deep roots in our society, where gender stereotypes still persist. The serious part of things is that domestic violence is passed on to children. Studies show that 40% of child survivors of domestic violence will perpetuate violence in their own families.

"Stereotypes are very characteristic of a patriarchal society. Historically, women have fought very hard to gain their rights. Women did not have the right to manage their money, work, vote, etc. Unfortunately, some of these ideas and stereotypes persist. We have a lot of women who still have to earn the right to work and manage their resources. It is a form of violence, economic violence. But until this, stereotypes start from the family, in the family they are communicated to the children and later - transmitted to another family, from father to son...", explains Mihaela Cimbriciuc, the communicator of the National Coalition "Life without violence".

Violence against women can take many forms, including:

• Physical violence: Hits, beatings, strangulations.
• Sexual violence: Rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment.
• Psychological violence: Emotional abuse, intimidation, threats.
• Economic violence: Financial control, deprivation of economic resources.
• Cyber Violence: Online bullying, threats on social media.

Preventing and combating violence against women requires a concerted effort at global, national and local levels. It is essential to address this issue through education, legislation and direct support for victims. 

"It's a very complicated process, but things are indeed moving. We, through our programs to educate girls and women, are taking an important step. There are more and more organizations they can turn to for help. For example, in the National Coalition "Life without violence" there are 21 organizations that provide complex assistance - psychological, social, legal, as well as shelter, including for children. Another important step is taken by our colleagues in the coalition, it is about the Institute for Family and Social Initiatives. They have a project dedicated to the gentle education of boys, through which they combat many stereotypes. Stereotypes affect us women and men equally, and in combination they cause this desolate state of violence and so much abuse.", keep going Mihaela Cimbriciuc, communicator of the National Coalition "Life without violence".

In order to combat this phenomenon, the involvement of each individual citizen is necessary. If you witness an incident of violence, it is important to call the police and report the incident. Cases reported to 112 are directed to the Family Justice Center in Chisinau. Very often the help of the police is vital for the life of the victim, because sometimes it can be too late. Government programs that offer support come to the aid of victims, but also a multitude of organizations that offer assistance. Victims can also call the helpline for women and girls – 0 8008 8008 – where they can call at any time and ask specific questions or ask for help. 

Although the green industry has become more and more known and is in continuous development, there are still enough untapped areas with little or no competition. Green businesses are growing exponentially around the world and are a great way for female entrepreneurs to combine financial gain with a positive impact on the environment. This type of business focuses on sustainability and tries to offer products or services that cause less harm than traditional ones.

"Women can be real stars in promoting sustainability and social responsibility in the business world. They can play a crucial role in making strategic decisions for the adoption of environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices in companies, thus contributing to the establishment of positive standards in the industry. They can also use their advocacy skills to support public policies favorable to sustainability and social responsibility. Through education and awareness campaigns, both within their team and in the community, they can encourage the adoption of these practices”, believes Natalia Iachimov, consultant in the field of business sustainability.

According to the specialist, promoting sustainability involves the integration of practices that reduce the negative impact on the environment, while social responsibility involves the adoption of behaviors that respect the rights and well-being of all interested parties. This ensures that businesses have a long-term positive impact on society and the environment.

Women who want to put their ideas into practice and do something positive for the world around them, can start such an activity, through which they can successfully promote sustainability, especially since they can benefit from certain funding programs, such as grants or loans. But there are also successful businesses in the field that were launched without funding.  

"Adopting green and sustainable business best practices is a key strategic opportunity for business growth and prosperity. These include energy efficiency and the use of energy from renewable sources, responsible waste management through reduction, reuse and recycling, involvement in sustainable supply chains, adoption of ESG principles, green product design and transparency in reporting. Taking inspiration from examples of success at the international level and from Moldova, women can develop their businesses with an emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. This fact can not only lead to increased revenues and expanded markets, but also to improved reputation and working conditions for employees. Moreover, their contribution can lead to the creation of a greener and fairer future for all", adds Natalia Iachimov, business sustainability consultant.

If you like the idea of starting and carrying out such an activity, friendly to the environment, the budget and society as a whole, this guide to starting an ecological business and these green business ideas they will certainly be of real help to you. Also know other women's success stories who have succeeded, get inspired by reading them stories and follow your dream!