Ukraine intensifies international cooperation to support victims of conflict-related sexual violence: Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity

The 70th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) is currently underway at United Nations Headquarters, with a Ukrainian delegation participating. This year’s focus is on access to justice for women and girls, as well as combating conflict-related sexual violence.

On the sidelines of the session, First Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine Liudmyla Shemelynets held a series of meetings with international partners dedicated to strengthening support for victims of conflict-related sexual violence, as well as mechanisms for holding perpetrators accountable.

The day before, Liudmyla Shemelynets, along with other members of the Ukrainian delegation, met with Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. During the meeting, the parties discussed legal protection for victims of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, as well as a pilot project on urgent interim reparations being implemented by the Global Survivors Fund.

“Sexual violence during wartime is a war crime for which there is no statute of limitations. Our task, together with our international partners, is to ensure support for victims, effective mechanisms for reparations, and the inevitability of punishment for perpetrators,” emphasized Liudmyla Shemelynets.

In addition, the Deputy Minister participated in a roundtable discussion on women’s participation in peace and security processes titled “Beyond 1325: Shaping Inclusive Peace through Local and Intergenerational Action.” During the event, she briefed partners on Ukraine’s progress on the National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace, and Security” for the period up to 2030 and shared experience in involving women in recovery processes and the formulation of security policy.

In the framework of the event, Liudmyla Shemelynets met with a group of UN experts on the rule of law and sexual violence and discussed the issue of providing reparations to victims of sexual and gender-based violence in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian delegation continues its work on the sidelines of CSW70, strengthening international cooperation to protect the rights of women and girls, support victims, and ensure justice for crimes related to sexual violence during war.

As a reminder, earlier, the First Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine spoke at a meeting on violence against women and girls in New York, where she told about the adaptation of national legislation to the needs of victims.