Sexist behavior and discourse during the autumn 2023 election period was monitored in the online media by the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, in cooperation with the Center Association of Gender, member of the Platform for Gender Equality.

The monitoring was carried out based on the methodology for monitoring sexist discourse and behavior in the traditional and online media in the Republic of Moldova, especially during election periods. The design methodology took place between April – June 2023 and during the period October - November 2023, 8 online media sources from Moldova, including on the election days of 5 November (first round) and of 19 November 2023 (second round), were monitored. During the same period, 10 TV channels were monitored by the Audiovisual Council.

The monitoring activity is a continuation of the awareness raising campaign efforts to combat sexist speech and behavior during the election campaign, which was launched in April 2023, by the Council of Europe in partnership with the Central Electoral Commission, the Audiovisual Council and the Police of the Republic of Moldova.

Findings of the piloting of the methodology will be presented during the Post-Election Conference planned to take place on 14 – 15 March 2024. Thereafter, a guide will be produced to support future usage of the methodological approach during next presidential and parliamentary elections.

The action was organised by the Council of Europe within the Project "Improving electoral practices in the Republic of Moldova, Phase III", part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2021-2024.