The project "Combating violence against Women in Ukraine – Phase II" (COVAW-II) held its first meeting of project partners on 30 March 2023. The project focuses on developing institutional capacities and raising awareness of the Istanbul Convention's requirements and aims to support its implementation in Ukraine and better protect women's human rights.
Ms Olena Lytvynenko, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine a.i., affirmed the Council of Europe’s commitment to gender equality, as highlighted in the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” (2023-2026). The Action Plan, developed in consultation with national stakeholders and partners, prioritises support to Ukrainian authorities for the implementation of the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy (2018-2023) and the Istanbul Convention.
Ms Uliana Tokareva, Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, emphasised the importance of the implementation of the Istanbul Convention and saw the project as a great opportunity to receive support in this regard.
Ms Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner on Gender Equity Policy, highlighted the importance of the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in peace and war, with the project's implementation being key to upholding freedom from violence, providing comprehensive support, and implementing the principle of positive commitment.
The meeting brought together the project's main partners in Ukraine: the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, the Government Commissioner on Gender Policy, the secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament, the Commissioner for Human Rights, and the National Social Service. Other stakeholders working on combating violence against women and domestic violence attended as observers, including professional associations and civil society organisations.
The COVAW-II project began in January 2023 and will continue until December 2024.
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