In the Republic of Moldova will be realized for the first time the study "Generations and Gender", which will underpin the improvement of the demographic situation.

In this context, today, on January 22, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection (MSMPS), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund and the Dutch Demography Interdisciplinary Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to conduct the study.

The event took place in a regional workshop, attended by official representatives and demographic experts from 17 countries. They will share their experience with the organization of the Generations and Gender Study, one of the largest demographic studies at an international level, to be held in our country in 2019 on a sample of 10,000 people.

"Evidence-based data is the basis for effective policy making. The demographic situation of our country requires immediate action. That is why the realization of this study will help us to develop policies and strategies for improving the demographic situation and to properly address the concerns of individuals, families and society in general", said MSMPS State Secretary General, Boris Gilca.

"Collecting quality data is essential to better understand the structure of current families and the choice of couples to plan and deliver the desired number of children. UNFPA welcomes the launch of the Generations and Gender Program in Moldova and reiterates the organization's support to provide technical assistance and expertise to conduct the Study at the highest international standards based on the experience and practices of other countries", said UNFPA Representative in Moldova, Rita Columbia.

"The Generations and Gender" program is an ambitious one, namely the task facing us, the realization of this ample study is a challenge for us. That is why we hope that in this workshop we will get answers to the questions and risks related to data collection, but especially we will understand how they have been overtaken by the countries that have conducted such a previous study", said the director general of the NBS, Vitalie Valcov.

Please note that in August 2018, the MSMPS and UNFPA signed a co-financing agreement for the implementation of the Generations and Gender Program in the Republic of Moldova, which will take place for a period of three years (2018-2020).

The "Generations and Gender" study has been conducted so far in 24 countries and is a global tool for monitoring demographic change and responding to aging processes, low fertility rates, changes in family structure, intergenerational relationships, and others.