TERMS OF REFERENCE for selecting a sociological company for conducting a research study on the prevalence of cyber violence against women in the Republic of Moldova

Type of contract: Service Provision Contract

Consultancy Duration: August 2025 – December 2025

GENERAL CONTEXT:

The Republic of Moldova has made significant progress, with the support of UNFPA, other development partners, and active NGOs, in developing a national response to challenges related to violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual violence, and cyber violence. Currently, the second policy document in this field is being implemented in the Republic of Moldova – the National Program for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence 2023-2027, approved by Government Decision No. 332/2023. This program acknowledges the issue of cyber violence, which manifests in all forms of violence against women, having a severe impact on their lives, psychological and physical health, safety, and reputation, and generating negative consequences on women's rights to be present in the online environment.

Moreover, the National Program (paragraph 53) highlights that the number of cases of violence committed through digital devices or in the digital environment is unknown.

The lack of reliable data on the extent of cyber violence in our country constitutes a major gap, which severely affects the ability to adjust national policies and actions based on an in-depth understanding of this specific field and to measure the impact of interventions.

To correctly guide and appropriately shape national policy in this field, a deep understanding of the nature of cyber violence, its key features, and determining factors, as well as the needs of survivors and the capacity of service providers to respond to these needs, is essential.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS MISSION:

The International Center "La Strada" (Moldova), in partnership with UNFPA Moldova and the National Agency for the Prevention and Combat of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), aims to enhance national knowledge regarding the manifestations, scope, and impact of digital violence against women in the Republic of Moldova. To this end, a national study on the prevalence of cyber violence against women will be conducted in 2025, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

The study will be exploratory, aiming to achieve the following general objectives:

• Identifying and describing tactics and patterns used in the most harmful forms of cyber violence, focusing on those that cause significant psychological, emotional, reputational, or physical harm to women.
• Exploring the personal experiences of women regarding cyber violence, using structured indicators to assess the types, frequency, and impact of violence exercised through digital technologies.
• Assessing the prevalence of cyber violence in communities by analyzing the extent to which interviewees report that someone in their immediate social or community network has been a victim of online violence through any of the identified tactics.
• Analyzing the prevalence of witnessing cyber violence experiences by determining how many respondents have observed cases (involving known or unknown individuals) where others were the targets of violent or abusive behavior online.
• Examining coping strategies and responses adopted by survivors, including help-seeking behaviors and their perceptions of the accessibility, quality, and appropriateness of available support services.
• Assessing the preparedness and capacity of service providers, particularly in the social protection system, to recognize, respond to, and support survivors of cyber violence. This includes analyzing knowledge, skills, institutional frameworks, and available resources.

The results of this study will represent a crucial evidence base for adjusting national policies, improving support mechanisms for survivors, and guiding future programs and resource allocations in the field of combating cyber violence.

EXPECTED RESULTS AND CONTRACT TASKS:

The research report will be developed in close collaboration with the International Center "La Strada" and will be presented to the main national stakeholders involved in preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The research report must reflect data (both qualitative and quantitative) on the manifestation of cyber violence against women in the Republic of Moldova and the national response to this phenomenon.

The report will be based on the inception report developed by "La Strada" during the preliminary stage of the study, which includes a brief analysis of existing sources on the issue of cyber violence (definitions and forms of cyber violence, international recommendations for organizing an effective national response, best practices in the field, Moldova's experience, etc.).

The selected sociological company will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Development of research methodology. Design and drafting of research tools, including sampling strategy, ethical considerations, data collection instruments, content of the preliminary report, etc. Deliverables: Research Methodology; Role/ Responsibilities: Sociological Company & La Strada; Deadline: September 1, 2025
2. Coordination of the preliminary research methodology with La Strada, UNFPA, and ANPCV. Deliverables: Approved research methodology; Role/ Responsibilities: Sociological Company; Deadline: September 15, 2025
3. Quantitative data collection (for the age group 18-60+). Deliverables: Survey; Role/ Responsibilities: Sociological Company; Deadline: September 30, 2025
4. Qualitative data collection (interviewing representatives of NGOs, members of the National Coalition "Life Without Violence," and individuals from at-risk groups, including those affected by cyber violence). Deliverables: List of key national actors interviewed; Role/Responsibilities: Sociological Company & La Strada; Deadline: October 31, 2025
5. Data analysis and development of the preliminary research report, based on the inception report, interviews with key stakeholders, etc. Deliverables: Preliminary research report with recommendations; Role/Responsibilities: Sociological Company; Deadline: October 31, 2025
6. Coordination of the preliminary research methodology with La Strada, UNFPA, and ANPCV. Deliverables: Preliminary report approved by La Strada; Role/Responsibilities: La Strada; Deadline: November 15, 2025
7. Distribution of the preliminary report to national stakeholders in the field of gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and combating. Deliverables: Key national actors informed about the conclusions and recommendations; Role/Responsibilities: La Strada; Deadline: November 14, 2025
8. Organization of a joint public event to present research results to national stakeholders and collect feedback on the preliminary report. Deliverables: Public event; PowerPoint presentation; List of participants; Collected and analyzed recommendations from participants; Role/Responsibilities: La Strada, Sociological Company, UNFPA, ANPCV; Deliverables: November 14, 2025
9. Finalization and submission of the research report, including detailed recommendations. Deliverables: Final research report; Role/Responsibilities: Sociological Company; Deadline: November 30, 2025

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINES:

Main activities:

• Research methodology ➜ August 2025
• Data collection ➜ September 2025
• Data analysis and report drafting ➜ October and November 2025
• Public event ➜ November 2025
• Finalization and submission of the research report ➜ December 2025

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PARTICIPATION:

The deadline for submitting proposals is August 22, 2025, at 18:00 and must include:

• A brief profile of the bidding company (name, postal address, banking details, contact phone, email, responsible person, relevant company activity data, etc.);
• The technical proposal, including an overview of how the consultancy will be implemented and the conditions for its realization;
• The financial offer, expressed in MDL, indicating the gross amount, excluding VAT.

Applications should be submitted via email to: office@lastrada.md. The selected company will be contacted to discuss the contract details.