On the occasion of the Universal Day of the Ia, the traditional embroidered blouse and a symbol of national identity, creativity and cultural heritage, the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) organized the Forum “WOMEN TRADE UNIONISTS – AN ACTIVE VOICE FOR AN EQUITABLE FUTURE” on 24 June 2026.

The event was dedicated to promoting gender equality, strengthening women’s leadership, and identifying solutions to ensure an equitable, safe and inclusive working environment. The Forum was organized with the support of the Swedish organization Union to Union.

The event brought together women and men representing national sectoral trade union centres, public authorities, international organizations, employers’ organizations and civil society, providing a broad platform for dialogue on women’s participation in the labour market, social protection, economic equity and sustainable development.

The Forum was opened by Angela Otean, Chair of the Women’s Commission of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova and moderator of the event, together with Igor Zubcu, President of the CNSM, Marcela Adam, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and Chair of the Women Members of Parliament Platform of the 12th Legislature, and Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection.

In her opening remarks, Angela Otean emphasized the importance of strengthening women’s participation in social dialogue structures and decision-making processes at all levels. She stressed that trade unions play a vital role in promoting equal opportunities, combating gender stereotypes and creating conditions that enable every woman to fully realize her professional and personal potential.

For his part, Igor Zubcu highlighted the decisive role of women in strengthening the trade union movement and defending workers’ rights. He noted that women account for approximately 64% of all trade union members in the Republic of Moldova, making a significant contribution to the development of social dialogue and the promotion of workers’ interests.

The CNSM President stressed that promoting equal opportunities and equal treatment, eliminating all forms of discrimination, and ensuring safe and decent working conditions for every worker remain constant priorities of the trade union movement. He also underlined the need to strengthen measures that facilitate the reconciliation of work and family life and encourage women’s participation in decision-making processes.

Marcela Adam, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, commended the contribution of women trade unionists to advancing social equity, gender equality and women’s leadership, reiterating her support for initiatives aimed at creating a fair and inclusive working environment.

She also highlighted the results of the cooperation between the Women Members of Parliament Platform and the CNSM Women’s Commission, which has contributed to advancing important reforms in the areas of workers’ protection, the prevention and elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work, and the strengthening of work-life balance measures.

Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection, emphasized the important role of women trade unionists in promoting workers’ rights and building a more equitable, inclusive and prosperous society. She noted that issues such as women’s leadership, pay equity, economic security and work-life balance are essential for the development of the Republic of Moldova and the future of its labour market.

The Minister also reaffirmed the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection’s commitment to maintaining an open and constructive dialogue with the social partners in order to promote gender equality, decent work and public policies focused on the well-being of workers.

During the first panel discussion, participants explored the role of women in the trade union movement, the promotion of women’s leadership, gender-responsive collective bargaining, and measures to prevent and eliminate harassment in the world of work. Good practices in promoting gender equality and supporting workers’ mental health were also presented.

The second panel focused on the legal framework required to ensure pay equity and women’s economic security. Discussions addressed legislative measures to reduce the gender pay gap, work-life balance policies, the promotion of women’s entrepreneurship, and the strengthening of social protection mechanisms.

The third panel examined practical ways of translating policies and commitments into tangible results for women workers. Discussions included good practices implemented by employers, the development of early childhood education services, women’s health in the workplace, collective bargaining experiences from Romania, and the opportunities created by digitalization, skills development and professional reskilling.

At the conclusion of the Forum, participants formulated conclusions and recommendations aimed at strengthening public policies and trade union action in the fields of gender equality, pay equity and social protection. They emphasized the need to expand work-life balance measures, promote women’s leadership, prevent violence and harassment in the world of work, and ensure equal opportunities for the professional development of women and men.

By organizing this Forum, the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) reaffirmed its strong commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of women workers, supporting their active participation in decision-making processes, and contributing to stronger social dialogue. The CNSM will continue to promote policies and initiatives that support the development of a society based on equity, solidarity, respect and equal opportunities for all.