Since the post-Soviet transition to independence, Moldova has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the leading countries in human trafficking. Young women and girls, some as young as 8 and nine, are sold into prostitution and sent to countries around the world, including the United States.

Moldova is one country in Eastern Europe that does not recognize women’s rights. Children and teens are vulnerable to kidnapping and trade in the international trafficking of human life.

We made the decision to bring Orphan’s Promise to Moldova and to help orphaned and abandoned children find a safe haven and a place for education.

Orphan’s Promise is working with orphanages to provide skills training and opportunities for half-way houses for teens aging out of orphanages. We are currently working to provide a safe haven for children which will provide a home and a haven from the streets and the dangers of human trafficking. We are here to help and to guide young boys and girls toward a decent life with opportunities to become contributing members of society and build lives they can be proud of. Orphan’s Promise is committed to the children of Moldova.

Major Issues:

• Orphans- approx. 12,000 (2007)
• Trafficking (women, chilren)
• Forced Labor
• Begging
•  Poverty- there are more poor children (34.5%) than poor adults in Moldova
• Abuse- 40 % of children have been subject to physical abuse, and 8 % are subject to sexual abuse

The study of human trafficking Moldova is of particular importance because Moldova is a post-Soviet transition country and is an origination country for women who have been trafficked as a result of, among other reasons, unstable economic conditions and the absence of the rule of law. Since its independence, Moldova has remained a country in which women's rights are not acknowledged, the feminization of poverty defines women's life decisions, corruption reigns, and the government remains reluctant to acnknowlege its role in the prevention and prosecution of trafficking women (Ebbe, Das, 2007). 

Reference
Ebbe, Obi N., Das, Dilip K. (2007). Global Trafficking in Women and Children. CRC Press.