War in Ukraine is primarily a crisis for children: Liudmyla Shemelynets at conference in Bucharest

The war in Ukraine is first and foremost a crisis for children. This was emphasised by First Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine Liudmyla Shemelynets during a panel discussion entitled “Fostering the Development of Integrated Child Protection Systems to End Violence against Children” as part of the VAC (Violence Against Children) conference taking place in Bucharest.

“The full-scale war has heightened risks of violence, exploitation, displacement, and psychological trauma. Children are growing up amid shelling, separations, and losses – and at the same time, their protection remains our moral and national duty,” stated Liudmyla Shemelynets.

According to her, since February 2022, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has confirmed 659 children killed and 2,180 injured. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 3,100 children became victims of violence or abuse, of which 206 were cases of sexual violence and 17 were victims of human trafficking.

“We understand that violence against children and violence against women are closely linked. When women suffer from domestic violence, so do their children. Supporting women and children together is a necessary condition for Ukraine’s recovery,” said Liudmyla Shemelynets.

She stressed that Ukraine remains committed to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified back in 1991. This is reflected in the National Strategy for Ensuring the Right of Every Child to Grow Up in a Family Environment for 2024–2028, which is being implemented as part of the Better Care for Every Child reform.

“The state is already implementing a minimum package of social services in 77 communities, enabling nearly 300,000 children and parents to receive family support, early intervention services, and daytime care. Ukraine has 326 Resilience Centres in operation, 34 of which are supported by UNICEF, providing integrated services for families. At the same time, the number of foster families has doubled – to nearly 600 families now caring for over a thousand children, half of whom have experienced violence,” noted Liudmyla Shemelynets.

She also highlighted the introduction of the Barnahus model – a child-friendly approach to justice for victims and witnesses of violence. Already, more than 2,000 children in 15 regions have received assistance in such centres.

“Ukraine is creating an integrated system in which every child and every family receives continuous support – from early detection of problems to long-term rehabilitation. We greatly value UNICEF as a key partner in the return and reintegration of children, the training of specialists, and the development of family-based forms of upbringing,” emphasised the First Deputy Minister.