Final Evaluation: Preventing violence against older women in Moldova: Age inclusive support for older women survivors and those at risk

Location: South and Central Moldova 

Grantee partner: HelpAge Moldova 

Grant period: September 2022 – September 2025 

Grant amount: $421,072

Authors/editors: Andrei Iovu, PhD 

Evaluation year: 2025

Summary

In Moldova, where national frameworks and data systems overlook violence against persons over 55, HelpAge Moldova implemented a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against older women survivors or those at risk. Operating across South and Central Moldova, the “Preventing violence against older women in Moldova” initiative combined individual-level support, community awareness, and civil society organization (CSO) capacity-building to address systemic, cultural, and practical barriers. Activities included counseling and home visits, intergenerational engagement, economic empowerment, and media campaigns, alongside volunteer training and institutional planning. 

The initiative achieved outstanding results across all evaluation criteria, adapting to Moldova’s challenging context, including economic crisis and refugee influx, while maintaining core objectives. Evidence shows that the intervention not only improved safety and wellbeing for older women but also catalyzed community and institutional shifts toward age-sensitive responses. 

Key findings

• 2,866 older women gained knowledge on rights and help-seeking (253% of target), while 750 received monthly home visits totaling 12,884 visits and 343 referrals.
• 1% of beneficiaries confirmed activities met their needs according to the evaluation phone survey; 95.8% felt safer, and 93.4% reported life improvements. Endline data showed 96.5% knew where to seek help and 93% felt increased control over decisions. 
• Mobile Teams provided counseling to 181 older women (181% of target), and 30 women accessed livelihood support, strengthening resilience and independence. 
• 20 intergenerational summer schools engaged 721 participants, while media campaigns reached 38,000 individuals, shifting norms and reducing stigma around older women’s rights. 
• All 10 CSOs developed three-year action plans; 150 volunteers trained and 10 permanent Safety Parks established, embedding age-sensitive practices into community infrastructure.

“Thanks to the project, people opened up. They started to leave their homes. They participated with pleasure in the activities that we organized”- Volunteer, Focus Group Discussion, Ungheni