“United! Invest in Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls”
November 27, 2024
Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts targeting individuals based on their sex or gender, such as domestic violence, harassment, and sexual exploitation. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which began on 25 November, aims to raise awareness and unite people in speaking out against this persistent issue. For the third consecutive year, the campaign in Ukraine coincides with the harsh reality of war, where Russian aggression has worsened the situation, particularly in terms of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).
Last week, the “United! Invest in Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls” forum was held at Poltava National Polytechnic University. Organised with the support of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine and as part of the global 16 Days campaign, the event aimed to highlight best practices and address the ongoing challenges in preventing and countering domestic violence, gender-based violence, and violence against children amid the war. The forum brought together EUAM representatives, international experts, regional officials, law enforcement officers, and civil society activists from Kharkiv, Poltava and Sumy regions.
Over two days, the forum combined discussions with practical training sessions. The first day featured panels on gender equality, GBV and CRSV prevention, and victim support. The second day focused on practical violence prevention approaches, with experts sharing best practices for supporting survivors.
In her opening remarks, Maura O’Sullivan, Deputy Head of Mission at EUAM Ukraine, emphasised the crucial role of collaboration between national and international institutions in addressing gender-based violence. She highlighted that sharing knowledge and experiences is key to developing effective strategies for protecting women and children, particularly during the challenges of war.
Volodymyr Onyshchenko, Rector of Poltava Polytechnic, expressed gratitude for EUAM’s continued support in advancing legal awareness and promoting human rights education.
The forum underscored the importance of ongoing cooperation across sectors and regions, stressing the need for continued progress in tackling gender-based violence, particularly as Ukraine moves forward on its path to European integration.
