UNICEF and the Association "Prietena Mea" have developed the first platform for parents of children with disabilities in Moldova - abilitare.md. The online resource contains articles developed by psychologists and psychotherapists, which provide support and guidance during the different stages of acceptance of disability. Over 900 parents and caregivers were consulted in the development of the platform to identify the needs and challenges they face on a daily basis, IPN reports.
Abilitare.md will offer specially designed guides and courses for parents on how to manage the specific needs of their children, as well as how to address challenges related to attitudes and behaviors in society, such as discrimination and stigmatization. "The work so far has shown us how important it is to support and respond to parents' real needs. That's why empowerment.md has come as an essential resource available just a click away from any corner of the country. We believe in the power of community and we want this platform to inspire change, bring people together and help build a more inclusive and empathetic society", emphasized the founder of the "My Friend" Association, Ludmila Adamciuc, host of the launch event.
The platform also aims to support mothers and fathers across the country by encouraging them to form support groups. "We want this platform to be more than just a website - we want it to become a dynamic advocacy network for children with disabilities and their families, creating spaces for participation, sharing experiences and mutual support. Parent groups and communities are powerful and their collective experiences and perspectives are of immense value. Through these networks, parents not only support each other, but also empower each other to become agents of change", said UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova Maha Damaj.
Mariana Rotaru, Project Coordinator at the KfW Office in Chisinau, noted that this launch marks a special moment in society, namely the fact that it provides a true source of information, resources and support for those who, day after day, with devotion and unconditional love, care for children with disabilities. "I want habil abilitare.md to be more than a platform, to be a partner, a community, a family in which each member shares experiences, innovative ideas, practical advice and a warm word of support", said Mariana Rotaru.
Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu emphasized that "abilitare.md is a concrete example of creating a support system for families with children with disabilities, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection remains committed to working together to develop policies that ensure inclusion and equal opportunities for all children".
In addition to the direct support offered to parents, the platform also targets specialists working with children with disabilities, thus extending its impact in the educational environment. "This platform not only supports parents, but also provides important support for the education system. We know that success in education is possible when the parent and the teaching staff - the educator or the teacher - work together, in the same direction, with coordinated activities tailored to the child's needs," said the head of the General Education Management Directorate at the Ministry of Education and Research, Viorica Negrei.
The abilitare.md platform is part of the UNICEF project "An inclusive world begins with me, with you, with us...", implemented by the Association "My Friend" with the financial support of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank.
