"Through this initiative, we are committed to invest in breaking down the barriers faced by women in Moldova and in developing women's potential. In doing so, we are fostering a generation of women leaders who will bring about lasting change in Moldovan communities and the society as a whole in these difficult times marked with many crises," said Ambassador Didier Chassot, SDC Deputy Director General and Head of Division Europe and Middle East, , the Swiss signatory to the agreement.

For his part, the Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Alexei Buzu, pointed out that promoting economic leadership, entrepreneurship and access to the labour market is the best social protection.

"The Memorandum of Understanding signed today provides us with the financial resources and the opportunity to build the capacities  of our colleagues in local public authorities and in the field of employment in general. I thank our colleagues from Switzerland for their trust and their desire to make the labour market in the Republic of Moldova more inclusive, fair and supportive, both for our female citizens and for the women displaced in our country," he said.

The project aims to socially and economically empower women, including refugee women from Ukraine, to increase their participation in decision making and the labour force, promote their entrepreneurial activities and ultimately contribute to a fair, equal, inclusive and resilient society and economy in Moldova. The project will promote gender sensitive policies and initiatives to address the main barriers to women's socio-economic inclusion.