The Role of Women in Ukraine’s Recovery: EU Integration focus

Language: English and Ukrainian

Sexual violence by the Russian military in Ukraine is not merely a by-product of the war; rather, it is a systematic crime committed deliberately, on a large scale, and with particular cruelty. Both women and men, as well as children, have been victims of weaponized sexual violence perpetrated by Russian soldiers with the aim of terrorising the entire population and breaking their spirit to defend themselves.

Investigating these crimes and prosecuting the perpetrators are key responsibilities of both the Ukrainian government and international community. Alongside this, it is imperative that we discuss methods of supporting survivors and ensuring their rights are upheld, as outlined in The Victims' Rights Directive and other legal obligations that Ukraine will undertake as a prospective member of the European Union.

Moderator: 

Khrystyna Kit, the Chairwoman of the Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association “JurFem”, Attorney-at-law, Ph.D. in law

Speakers:

Kateryna Levchenko, Governmental Commissioner for Gender Policy (online)

Oksana Pokalchuk, Senior CRSV Advisor, International Partnerships for Human Rights

Victor Mysiak,  Prosecutor of the first Unit of the Division Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Crimes of the Department for the Counteraction to Crimes Committed in the context of Armed Conflict, Office of the Prosecutor General

Liudmyla Huseinova, Head of the communication department of the NGO SEMA-UKRAINE, human rights activist

Language: English and Ukrainian

In wars and conflicts, a gender perspective is often made invisible, whereupon problems with gender-based violence and violence in the home are not given the attention they should be. Even in Ukraine, men's violence against women has increased in connection with the conflict. UNHCR and OHCHR have reported on armed actors victimizing women for sexual violence and forced labour, including at border controls at the contact line. Demobilized soldiers, who rarely receive psychosocial support, contribute to increasing security and prevent women and girls from moving as freely in public space. Interviewed women on both sides of the contact line testifies that difficult economic conditions force them to prostitute themselves in order to survive. We see this panel discussion as an opportunity to identify the specific problems in Ukraine and what lessons and experiences from previous conflict areas can be drawn to combat violence in Ukraine. We also wish to discuss how the problem of gender-based violence has arisen and why it is not given more attention. Finally, we would like to draw attention to the fact that Ukraine recently ratified the Istanbul Convention, what effect this has on the war and how civil society can work in the conflict as well as how the Istanbul Convention can become a powerful tool for Ukraine’s future EU accession.

Moderator: Alice Bah Kuhnke, Member of the European Parliament  (Greens/European Free Alliance)

Speakers:

Marta Chumalo, Deputy head at the Center “Women’s Perspectives”

Jill Trenholm, Senior Lecturer at National Centre for Women; Researcher at Uppsala University in  the Medical Faculty, Department of Women's and Children's Health 

Kateryna Shunevych, Head of the Analytical Center “JurFem”

Language: English and Ukrainian

Female entrepreneurship in Ukraine has grown exponentially over the last years. The Russian war against Ukraine also meant that millions of women had to embark on an entrepreneurial path, be it in their local communities, on the national level, or abroad. They have developed innovative products and filled in the niches overlooked before.

How could acquiring and utilising entrepreneurship skills help women to improve lives for themselves, their families, their communities, and the whole nation? What are the success stories that women all over Ukraine could relate and try to emulate?

Moderator:

Iryna Tytarchuk, Executive Director at Ukraine Investment & Trade Facilitation Center (ITFC) | Founder at Women IN

Speakers:

Olena Yatskivska, Head of the business hub, head of the department of economic development and international cooperation in the Radomyshl community

Liliia Kislitsyna, Head of the NGO Smarta

Viktoriia Dovzhyk, Director of the Financial Policy Department of the Lviv City Council

Yana Honcharenko, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer at Starlight Media

Zdenka Loncar, Program Specialist Eu integrations at UN Women

Language: English and Ukrainian

On the frontline, Ukrainian women play a crucial role that is frequently overlooked.  The nation's armed forces have 60,000 female members, of which more than 42,000 occupy military roles, including 5,000 female soldiers on the frontline. 

Women, including invisible battalions, soldiers, rescuers, and medics, are fighting for their country side by side with their male counterparts. Women's contributions are often neglected, leading to the application of approaches and policies on the frontline that do not take into account women's needs and specificities. It is important to raise awareness among policy-makers about the unique challenges that women face, so that they can contribute to the liberation of their country more effectively.

Moderator:

Yuliia Morii, NGO Legal Hundred, executive director

Speakers:

Hanna Hrytsenko, Researcher at the Institute of Gender Programs

Oksana Grigoryeva, Adviser on gender issues to the commander of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (online)

Iryna Nykorak, Founder of the project “Arm Women Now”

Kateryna Pryimak, paramedic, deputy head of Ukrainian Women Veteran Movement

Language: English and Ukrainian

Ukraine during but particularly after the war will face immense challenges of rehabilitating the nation from the physical and psychological wounds inflicted through Russian aggression. Successfully overcoming this challenge is paramount for restoring a healthy demographic balance, re-integrating war survivors into society, and attracting back millions of Ukrainians who fled the war. Outcome of these efforts will greatly define the speed of Ukraine's EU integration and nation rebuilding. It is often women and women-led organisations that are tackling such social tasks. However, such work is not always adequately compensated and social workers face numerous challenges. What solutions could the government and international donors propose to address these concerns? What's the role of civil society? What policies should be implemented to ensure Ukraine’s EU integration path?

Moderator:

Galyna Kotliuk, “Gender Democracy” program coordinator at Heinrich Boell Foundation, office Kyiv - Ukraine

Speakers:

Yuliia Sporysh, Head of the NGO Girls

Anna Dovgopol, Women Lead in Emergencies Advisor  at CARE Ukraine

Katarzyna Jezierska, Associate professor in political science, deputy director of the Gender and Diplomacy Program