about us

International Center “La Strada”

content: Background “La Strada” BRIEF

Background

The International Center "La Strada" is a part of the international network of Prevention of Trafficking in Women in Central and Eastern Europe that includes 9 organizations in 9 countries (that are the origin countries as well as the destination one) implementing the La Strada Program Prevention of Traffic in Women in Central and Eastern Europe (The Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Byelorussia, Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina).

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the resulting political end economic changes, there has been an alarming increase in trafficking in women from Central and Eastern Europe and the New Independent States (NIS).

The activities are realized under general coordination of Dutch Foundation against Trafficking in Women (Stichting tegen Vrouwenhandel, STV). In the Republic of Moldova , the "La Strada" Program was launched in March 2001 with the foundation of the "La Strada" Center.

As a result of the National Coordinators of La Strada organizations from the 9 countries, that implement La Strada Program, Meeting, that took place in Chisinau (March, 29 - April, 4) the creation of the "La Strada" Association” have been decided. This Association will promote on the international and national levels the rights of the persons who became victims of the trafficking in human beings. (Access the Declaration)

Fonded

Being founded in 2001, the International Center for Women Rights Protection and Promotion "La Strada", has imposed in the Republic of Moldova' social life and for now possess an unique experience and competence in:

• Educate the potential migrants with regard to migration and danger of human trafficking
• Optimize the national resources for traffic prevention
• Facilitate the access to quality based and secure assistance
• Optimize the services provided to the victims of trafficking
• Monitor of the situation in Moldova in the field of trafficking of human beings
• Provide assistance to the national decision factors with elaboration of anti-traffic strategies

Mission

"La Strada" is a human rights non-governmental organization that exists to counteract the trafficking in women phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova through prevention, assistance and lobby actions.

Our values

• human rights respect - we consider the trafficking in human beings as a violation of human rights
• holistic approach of the trafficking in women problem; national and international collaboration
• respect towards beneficiary's decisions
• team spirit, responsibility and exigency

Our vision

La Strada aspire for a society based on the human rights respect principles, aware of the trafficking in human beings problem, where favorable conditions for victims' (re)integration exist.

Our principles

• We consider the trafficking in human beings as a violation of human rights;
• We respect any person' right to decide in whatever concerns his/her private life;
• We consider as being essential providing of an adequate, operative and efficient assistance to the trafficked persons;
• We consider the rights, interests and necessities of the trafficked persons as imperative in all the areas of activities of "La Strada" Center' partners;
• We believe that the consolidation of the trafficked persons and at-risk persons state, especially women, is essential in encouraging their capacity to obtain and protect their rights;
• We consider the educational efforts in women/human rights as an integral part of our activity;
• We consider the confidentiality, security, non-victimization and non-discrimination as basic principles in work with trafficked persons and persons at-risk.

Structure of the International Center “La Strada”

Membership

• Member of the National Committee for Combating the Trafficking in Human Beings
• Member of the National Working Groups in the field of children trafficking
• Member of the International Association of non-governmental organizations for counteraction the trafficking in persons „La Strada” (La Strada Declaration)
• Member of the International Association ACTA
• Member of ARIADNA Network
• Recognized expert in the field of counteracting the trafficking in human beings at national and international level
• Recognized trainer at national and international level