Deputy Prime Minister Addresses Disinformation and Gender Equality in Strasbourg

Moldovan Foreign Minister Highlights Anti-Disinformation Efforts at Council of Europe Event

Moldova’s experiences in fighting disinformation and its commitment to human rights and gender equality took center stage during a recent Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) event, where Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi represented the Eastern European nation.

The gathering, which focused on women’s contributions to multilateralism, brought together several high-profile Council of Europe officials. Among the attendees were PACE President Petra Bayr, Venice Commission President Marta Cartabia, and Marja Ruotanen, who heads the Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity (DGII).

During his address, Popșoi detailed Moldova’s ongoing struggle against disinformation campaigns, particularly highlighting those targeting women and exploiting gender biases. The minister emphasized that such challenges require coordinated international responses rather than isolated national efforts.

“Gender-based disinformation is a threat to democracy, human rights and social cohesion, and no country can combat it alone,” Popșoi stated. “The Republic of Moldova is committed to promoting coordinated actions to face this challenge.”

Moldova, a former Soviet republic nestled between Romania and Ukraine, has faced increasing disinformation pressures in recent years. The country’s pro-European government has been working to counter Russian-backed information campaigns that often seek to destabilize the nation’s democratic institutions and Western integration efforts.

These disinformation challenges have intensified as Moldova pursues European Union membership, a path formally opened in June 2022 when the country received EU candidate status alongside Ukraine. Russian-backed actors have frequently targeted female politicians and civil society leaders in Moldova with gendered disinformation tactics designed to undermine their credibility.

Beyond discussing disinformation threats, Popșoi reaffirmed Moldova’s commitment to protecting fundamental human rights and advancing gender equality in decision-making positions at both national and international levels. This focus aligns with Moldova’s broader democratic reform agenda as it seeks closer integration with European institutions.

Moldova has made notable progress in increasing women’s political participation in recent years. The country’s parliament currently includes a significant proportion of female representatives, and women hold several key ministerial positions in the government led by President Maia Sandu, the country’s first female head of state.

The event was organized to mark the International Day of Women in Multilateralism, which is observed annually on January 25th. UNESCO established this commemoration in 2021 to recognize women’s contributions to advancing human rights, peace initiatives, and sustainable development within the multilateral system.

The Council of Europe, with its 46 member states including Moldova, plays a crucial role in promoting human rights, democracy, and rule of law across the continent. For Moldova, which joined the organization in 1995, engagement with the Council of Europe represents an important avenue for strengthening democratic institutions and implementing European standards.

As Moldova continues its European integration journey while managing complex regional security challenges, events like this provide valuable platforms for the country’s representatives to share experiences and build international partnerships against shared threats like disinformation.

The prominence given to Moldova’s perspective at this high-level event reflects growing recognition of the country’s strategic importance in Eastern Europe and its ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic resilience despite significant external pressures.