As part of the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, Ukraine is changing the legislation on sexual violence and discrimination based on gender. In particular, this week Volodymyr Zelenskyi signed law No. 8329. Among the legislative innovations are fines for messages of a sexual nature in messengers and punishments for physical, psychological or financial discrimination based on gender.
According to the norms of the law, the following types of punishments are provided for sexual harassment (meaning offensive and humiliating actions of a sexual nature, expressed verbally or non-verbally, as well as through electronic communications):
- fine from UAH 1,360 to UAH 2,720;
- public works (from 20 to 40 hours);
- remedial work (one month with deduction of 20% of earnings);
- administrative arrest for up to 15 days.
Law No. 8329 supplements the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses with a new Article 173-7.
In addition, the new legal norm establishes responsibility for any physical, psychological or economic actions directed against a person because of his belonging to a certain gender, which causes damage to his physical or mental health.
Such actions are punishable by a fine from UAH 1,700 to UAH 3,400, community service (from 20 to 40 hours), correctional work (up to one month with deduction of 20% of earnings) or administrative arrest for up to 10 days.
The law also contains provisions on punishment for failure to comply with an urgent restraining order or failure to notify the place of temporary stay in case of issuing such an order. Fines or other types of punishment may be imposed for violation of this article.
