In Moldova, children under 5 who are dying from violence and poisoning represent 15.9% of all under-5 deaths. The under-5 mortality rate is decreasing (27.1 per 1,000 live births in 1989 to 18.2 per 1,000 live births in 2002). Almost three children per 1,000 live births died from violence and poisoning in 2002 (UNICEF TransMONEE 2004 database).
Children
under 5 dying from poisoning and violence compared to all
causes,
per 1,000 live births (graph)
Moldova is one of the main countries of origin for the trafficking in women and children for the purpose of begging and sexual exploitation in Western Europe, Balkans, Russia and the Middle East. From January 2000 to April 2003 a total of 1,131 victims of trafficking were identified and assisted. However, real figures are considered to be much higher as extremely few victims are screened, identified and referred to assistance upon their return to Moldova. The majority of victims are very young: 58% are 18-24 years of age when they are returned to Moldova; 30% were children, i.e., below age 18, at the time they were trafficked. Certain categories of children are particularly vulnerable, including school drop-outs and children from poor, disadvantaged and dysfunctional families. One out of 10 victims has grown up in child-care institutions, this group being 10 times more vulnerable to trafficking.
Regional Consultation for the UN Study on Violence Against
Children
Online
resource package (English - French - Russian)
