The Council of Europe project “Combating Violence against Women in Ukraine (COVAW)” celebrates the approval of the Istanbul Convention by the Ukrainian Parliament, in a vote which shows a strong message of the long-term commitment to combat violence against women in all of its forms, and demonstrates Ukraine’s assurance at the highest level to the protection of human rights, including women’s rights.
The Council of Europe, through the COVAW project as well as previous projects on violence against women, is proud to have long supported Ukraine on the path toward ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Through the COVAW project the Council of Europe has put considerable focus on raising awareness about the Istanbul Convention in the Verkhovna Rada and at multiple levels of government. Awareness raising activities further focused on the general public throughout Ukraine, bringing to light the problem of violence against women and domestic violence in Ukraine, the need to combat it, and the role and benefits of the Istanbul Convention and other international standards in this area. At a critical time when ratification of the Istanbul Convention was being widely debated in Ukraine, the COVAW project also supported Council of Europe high-level officers and Ukrainian NGOs working at the local and regional levels in order to promote a multi-layered approach to information sharing.
The impact of this work on the Istanbul Convention ratification efforts in Ukraine was put succinctly by the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy, who stated that these actions have noticeably driven the ratification process forward.
“The support provided to government and NGOs, and the Istanbul Convention ratification efforts conducted by the Council of Europe project is important. The [COVAW] project events were important steps, together with the visit of the Council of Europe Secretary General, the exchange of letters, and the statements sent by the Kyiv Council of Europe Office together with EU Delegation to Ukraine and the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform (EUAM) and joined by 22 countries, ambassadors, and international organisations. We need to continue the important work… In the advocacy campaigns, the Council of Europe [COVAW] project team has been a reliable partner. I hope this work will continue.” - Kateryna Levchenko, 3 February 2022
Following receipt of the instrument of ratification by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Council of Europe will shift to support Ukraine in implementation of the Istanbul Convention. The COVAW project will expand support of Ukrainian women’s rights NGOs to raise awareness on human trafficking and all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence. In addition, the project will support training for governmental and non-governmental professionals working with victims and work to increase access to gender-sensitive services for displaced victims of violence against women. In line with European standards and guidance, a focus on addressing violence against women and domestic violence in emergencies will further continue under the project.
As we applaud the upcoming ratification of the Istanbul Convention in Ukraine, the COVAW project looks forward to continuing our work together to combat violence against women in Ukraine in all of its forms.
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