Ukraine is forming an effective system of support for victims of war-related sexual violence. First Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity Lyudmila Shemelynets held a working meeting with representatives of the Office of the UN System Coordinator in Ukraine and the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
The meeting discussed ways to improve national legislation, in particular the draft amendments to Law No. 4067, which regulates the legal mechanisms for supporting victims of war-related sexual violence. Particular attention was paid to the issues of interdepartmental coordination and the role of the Ministry of Social Policy in organizing assistance to victims.
“Each story of victims is a pain that we must transform into specific actions of the state. Ukraine continues to systematically form a policy of support for persons who have suffered from war-related sexual violence. We are grateful to our UN partners for expert assistance, which allows us not only to improve legislation, but also to develop effective mechanisms of practical assistance to victims”, – noted Lyudmila Shemelinets.
The UN representatives emphasized Ukraine’s progress in forming a comprehensive state policy of responding to conflict-related sexual violence and emphasized that the Ukrainian approach is already an example for other countries. They also confirmed their readiness to provide technical and legal support to the Ministry, in particular in the implementation of legislative changes. The involvement of an international legal expert to assist the Ministry of Social Policy in this process was discussed.
The parties agreed to continue close cooperation, in particular in the format of joint expert meetings to exchange experience, coordinate actions, and prepare for the implementation of new initiatives in the field of human rights protection.
