The event entitled "Women in Independent Moldova - Achievements and Perspectives" brought together 400 women from all regions of the republic, who have contributed through their work to the political, social and economic development of the country. Among them are mayors, parliamentarians, former ministers, former deputy ministers, women managers, women leaders at central and district level, trade union women, savants, women who work or have worked in various fields, regardless of political orientation, religion, age and nationality.

 The forum was aimed at assessing the role of women in development of the country during 20 years of independence, promoting successful models of women in society development and strengthening solidarity of women in consolidation of the democracy.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family, as the central public authority responsible for developing and promoting policies to ensure gender equality, at the initiative of the Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family, Ms. Valentina Buliga, with the financial support of the UN in Moldova (UN Women, IOM, UNFPA, UNDP), the OSCE mission in Moldova and the Embassy of Sweden in Moldova and in partnership with the Women's Political Club 50/50, Center "Partnership for Development", Gender Center, National Confederation of Trade Unions, Company "Teleradio Moldova", Forum of Women's Organizations in Moldova, the Congress of Local Authorities in Moldova.

 Valentina Buliga, Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family, mentioned in her statement, that the modernization of the society should take place along with women’s empowerment.  "I am convinced that our woman should not wait anymore to be invited in the political competition and fight but rather claim this right."

During the event, participants watched a film about the history of the country in the 20 years of independence, shared experiences and discussed the role of women in decision-making in various fields such as political, economic, cultural, scientific, educational and remembered the history of women's movement in Moldova. The event hosted also an exhibition of documents and pictures reflecting the most important events in the development of the country and women's role in this process as well as UN Women cartoons on women's participation in decision-making process.

 “Gender Equality should not be seen narrowly as a “women’s issue” for it is an issue that raises fundamental questions about the nature of our social relationships. It is a matter that concerns us all; it requires men and women to work together in search of solutions that are both practical and based on principle. It is also what the UN is working on in Moldova.” noted Kaarina Immonen, UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova.

At the end of the forum, participants adopted a Declaration of the Women Participants at Women’s National Forum.