Gender-based Disinformation and Women’s Political Participation in the Republic of Moldova
Patterns, Impacts, and Institutional Responses
Languages: English, Romanian, Russian.
Publisher: IWPR, 2026
As women take on a more visible role in Moldova’s public and political life, they are increasingly becoming targets of a specific form of attack: gender-based disinformation.
This handbook examines how such narratives are produced, amplified, and deployed to undermine women’s credibility, discourage their participation and shift public debate away from policy and toward personal attacks. Drawing on national monitoring data from 2023–2025, international research and firsthand testimonies, it captures a phenomenon that is increasingly embedded in the country’s political and information landscape.
Authored by Loretta Handrabura and developed by IWPR, the publication sets out to clarify what gender-based disinformation is—and what it is not. It distinguishes it from general political disinformation and maps the ways in which it exploits stereotypes and social norms to silence women in public life.
Beyond analysis, the guide offers a practical framework for response. It outlines how institutions, media, civil society and political actors can work together to reduce the impact of these attacks, strengthen accountability and create fairer conditions for political participation.
Intended for policymakers, journalists, civil society organisations and international partners, the handbook makes the case that addressing gender-based disinformation is not only about protecting individuals but about safeguarding the integrity of democratic processes.
This handbook was produced by IWPR under the Countering Disinformation in Moldova (CDM) project with the support of the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), as part of broader efforts to strengthen a more inclusive and resilient information environment in Moldova.
