Liminal lives: Gender and diversity assessment of refugees from Ukraine in Moldova after one year of forced displacement

The majority of refugees from Ukraine have been living in Moldova for over 12 months hoping for an end to the war in Ukraine, so they can safely return home. However, as the significant escalation of hostilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shows no sign of abating, attention is turning to how to better strengthen the social and economic integration and resilience of the refugee population in Moldova.

While all refugees face risks during conflict and displacement, particular at-risk groups may face intersecting forms of discrimination, marginalisation, and increased protection risks. These include older persons (age 65+), people with disabilities, Roma individuals, single women, children, LGBTQIA+ persons, and single women-headed households with many children who are rendered more vulnerable because of family separation and limited financial and material resources.

In order to better understand these differences and their implications for programming, UN Women commissioned a gender assessment to examine the distinct needs, priorities and capacities of diverse groups of refugee women, men, girls and boys from Ukraine living in Moldova, one year after the start of the crisis, and to identify gender and diversity specific considerations for planning sector and intersectoral responses.