Situated in Rapa lui Visan, an important natural tourist spot in Moldova, Taraclia village put up with an unhealthy landfill – until Pelaghia Traci, a local councillor mentored by a UN Women-supported initiative, got her neighbours to act, according to UN Woman.
A year ago, the 4,000 residents of Taraclia, a village 51 kilometres from Moldova’s capital Chișinău, suffered from a nearby illegal landfill’s health hazards, bad smells and unsightly views. Now, thanks to Pelaghia Traci, a local councillor mentored by a UN Women-supported programme, the landfill is gone, replaced by fresh air and a small forest of ash, locust and maple trees.
“The community had to act. This landfill near our homes was an ecological ticking bomb for human health,” says Ms. Pelaghia Traci.
Although Taraclia is host to the protected Rapa lui Visan, one of Moldova’s most important natural tourist attractions and residents and the local council had long known and discussed the illegal landfill, little was done – until Pelaghia stepped in.
A first-term local councillor, Pelaghia developed problem-solving and community engagement skills after joining Inspir-o!, the UN Women-supported National Mentorship Program for Women Councillors. After several consultations with villagers, she suggested Eco-Taraclia, a project that got the local community to act jointly and clear out the mounds of garbage. People of all ages and occupations, from workers and entrepreneurs to youth and the elderly worked together, removed piles of garbage, which were transported a nearby legal landfill.
“We encouraged people to get together to act and proved that a lack of financial resources shouldn’t block solving the problem,” Pelaghia said. “We levelled and cleared two hectares of land and readied the fertile ground for tree planting. Two months later, a young forest of 2,000 healthy trees replaced that noxious landfill.”
Pelaghia’s initiative also led Taraclia to develop waste disposal services for the community, and helped it regain its uniqueness. Community members are grateful – and have noticed how the forest has begun to improve their lives.
“Pelaghia Traci solved a serious and old problem in our village,” said a delighted village mayor Mr. Vladimir Cucereavâi.
“Bad smells have disappeared from our village and people will be healthier,” said village inhabitant Ms. Victoria Scorocârjă.
Women’s representation in Moldova’s politics and decision-making is below international benchmarks and does not meet the country’s national and international commitments. Boosting women’s political participation and decision-making is fundamental for democracy and to achieve sustainable development in Moldova – and an important of UN Women Moldova’s activities.
Inspir-o!, the National Mentorship Program for Women Councillors, is run by the Center “Partnership for Development” and part of the Women in Politics (WiP) Programme. Funded by the Swedish Government a jointly implemented by UN Women and UNDP in partnership with the East Europe Foundation and, Women in Politics (WiP) works to enhance women’s political representation and increase women’s participation in Moldova politics and decision-making.
To date, the National Mentorship Programme Inspir-o! has helped organise 94 community mobilization activities and 24 community projects implemented by women elected to local council. In all, 25,500 people – 12,800 women and 12,700 men – have benefitted from Inspir-o!’s activities.
