Outcome UKR_D_1.2

Outcome 2: National capacities are strengthened and use data and evidence for efficient crisis response and recovery planning

UN Women Ukraine made strong progress towards the outcome in 2023. Key results under this outcome include: a) Women’s needs and priorities are better addressed through key legislation, strategies, policies and plans developed in 2023, that hold duty-bearers at all levels accountable for implementing GEWE commitments. Key developments include: The government drafted two legal amendments related to the prevention and response to CRSV and GBV , as part of their work to align Ukraine’s legislation with the Istanbul Convention and implementation of the Framework of Cooperation between Ukraine and UN on CRSV Response. If approved, these laws will ensure that survivors are better protected against violence in various forms. This included a Draft Law on Amendments to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, which among others introduces GBV, including sexual harassment, as a separate administrative offense, and a Draft Law on the Status of Survivors of CRSV caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, to establish a normative basis for regulating a system of reparations and compensations. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the Strategy on Closing the Gender Pay Gap (along with its Operation Plan of Actions), which aims to improve legislation on equal pay, counteract workplace discrimination based on gender and facilitate the combination of family and professional responsibilities. The government increased it capacity to align with EU gender equality acquis by drafting a roadmap and mainstreaming gender in its contribution to the European Commission’s 2023 Enlargement Package. The government drafted a roadmap on implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and recommendation of the CEDAW 9 th periodical review showcasing its strong commitment to coordinate GEWE policy implementation. The State Emergency Service (SES) and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs (MoVA) revised and updated their respective Sectoral Plans linked to the National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, for example ensuring a gender sensitive response to veterans and frontline workers. Various government institutions also demonstrated improved institutional capacity on integrating gender in their work. For example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) approved its Action Plan on Ensuring Equal Rights and Opportunities , after conducting their second gender audit, to advance gender equality in the diplomatic service. At the local and regional level, the needs of women and girls were addressed through 4 regional and 10 local gender-responsive Action Plans on UNSCR 1325 , with heavy involvement and advocacy from local women. The Ministry of Community, Territorial and Infrastructure Development also mainstreamed gender and human-rights in the updated draft State Regional Development Strategy. The Government launched a comprehensive process on revision of the Law on Equal Rights and Opportunities in consultations with all stakeholders with meaningful engagement of women’s CSOs to reflect the new developments in the NWM and to ensure effective gender-responsive recovery and EU integration. UN Women contributed significantly to all these important results by providing technical and substantive inputs to the Government and various partners during the drafting and implementation of the key documents. In several instances this involved the contracting of gender experts to the ministries preparing the policy documents and laws. UN Women also compiled data and research to ensure evidence-based decision-making by duty-bearers and linking with international best practices. UN Women leveraged their strategic partnerships with the government, UN agencies and civil society to ensure a coordinated approach. B) Women from civil society have enhanced opportunities and capacities to actively participate in- and influence decision-making processes at all levels Women’s civil society organizations contributed to all key laws, policies, strategies and plans outlined above are underpinned , shared with duty bearers through multi-stakeholder consultations and working groups, facilitated by UN Women. This includes, women human rights defenders (WHRD) who participated in the Platform Responsive and Inclusive Recovery and the Working Group on Revision of the Law on Equal Rights and Opportunities, established under the Government Coordination Commission on Gender Equality Policy headed by the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro Atlantic Integration, and the Expert Council on Human Rights, Gender Equality and Diversity – a platform established by the MFA, where prominent human rights defenders, government representatives and other stakeholders can discuss and collaborative on initiatives. Representatives from women’s CSOs also participated in the Civil Expert Council on Equal Opportunities and Non-Discrimination established by the Ombudsperson Office. Representatives of CSOs continued active work as members in the Inter-Agency Working Group on CRSV Response to address one of the key 2023 priorities of Ukraine. UN Women contributed to these results by facilitating public consultations between duty bearers and women’s CSOs, including women from vulnerable groups. At the local level, this included for example supporting the active participation of women from local self-help groups in the design of local and regional Action Plans on UNSCR 1325. At the national level this included providing women CSOs expertise and facilitating their contribution to the development of the various laws and policies listed above, through consultations, dialogues and platforms. UN Women also supported the mobilization and capacity development of women’s civil society for their active participation in crisis response and planning processes. As part of the new Strategic Note (2025-2029) to be developed in 2024, a new ToC will be developed to further reflect how UN Women will support the needs and priorities of women and girls in Ukraine, across the HDP nexus, national recovery and EU integration. If, as anticipated, the government implements the laws, strategies and action plans listed above, then the needs and priorities of women and girls, in all their diversity, will be better addressed and could, within a few years start to have a real impact on the lives and security of the estimated 16.6 million women and girls across the country.