Outcome UKR_D_3.1

Transformative changes in social norms, attitudes and behaviors are achieved at community and individual levels to prevent GBV

The outcome was not fully achieved. However, important progress has been recorded at community and individual levels towards changing attitudes and behaviours and taking concrete measures to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) at the local level. 22 local bodies for dialogue on and monitoring of GE policies , Local Gender Coordination Councils with extended mandates on VAWG , were established in 22 conflict-affected communities. These councils include local women and gender advocates from the communities. In addition, 21 deputy heads of communities were appointed as Commissioners on Gender Equality and Prevention and Combating of Gender-based Violence (list attached) with the responsibility of promoting equal rights and equal opportunities for women and men at the community level. As a result, with the expert and advocacy support provided by UN Women and the joint efforts of local authorities and mobilized and empowered women’s groups, 10 socioeconomic development strategies and 4 local programmes inclusive of measures on preventing and combating VAWG, as well as 6 target programmes on preventing and combatting sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls , have been adopted. In addition, for the first time in Ukraine, the Safe Cities measures were integrated into the regional strategies and plans of Luhansk and Donetsk (attached), as well as in 19 local WPS policies (attached) with the expert assistance provided by the CO. More women victims of violence have access to justice in the conflict-affected Donetsk and Luhansk regions. According to the National Police of Ukraine as compared to last year, in 2021, the reporting of domestic violence cases increased by 60 per cent in eastern Ukraine. The CO contributed to changing the self-perception of victims as passive recipients of social protection by raising the legal awareness of 6,580 local women on the rights of GBV victims/survivors, legal procedures, existing protection mechanisms and available services via tailored trainings, the creation of 28 safe virtual spaces (FB groups) for information-sharing and networking purposes and the dissemination of information brochures. In addition, 22 advocacy initiatives were organized jointly by representatives of the police, local authorities and communities (list attached) in partnership with local public transportation companies, health clinics and beauty salons to raise awareness on domestic violence victims’ rights, legal procedures and available specialized services. Furthermore, the CO contributed to improving domestic violence victims’ access to justice by enhancing the capacities of 336 (97 women, 239 men) police officers, prosecutors, judges, lawyers and legal aid providers from Donetsk and Luhansk regions (list attached) to understand and implement effectively the GBV legislation, apply a survivor-centred approach and better coordinate their response to domestic violence. To challenge the existing perceptions and beliefs around women’s and men’s roles in the family and in society, the CO engaged 1,694 (1,600 women, 94 men) teachers from 38 conflict-affected communities in the east in interactive dialogues on the impact of the existing social construct on masculinity and femininity, especially the prevailing biased social norms and gender stereotypes as root causes of gender-based discrimination and violence. Empowered by these dialogues, the teachers further initiated peer-to-peer dialogues in schools to challenge existing patriarchal social norms and power relations. In order to reach young audiences, the No More Gringe communication campaign was launched in partnership with the CSO “ Pislyazavtra ” under the joint UN Women/UNFPA project “EU 4Gender Equality”. The campaign reached more than 5.5 million people on TikTok and generated a wide discussion among the youth about the adverse social norms and gender stereotypes which lead, among others, to GBV. Based on the progress made, the theory of change is still applicable. UN Women will continue its efforts aimed at achieving transformative changes to social norms to prevent VAWG using a triple track approach: support gender-responsive policymaking, promote the social and political empowerment of women, and create an enabling environment to challenge gender norms and stereotypes.

Transformative changes in social norms, attitudes and behaviors are achieved at community and individual levels to prevent GBV

The outcome was not achieved. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Ukraine continues to be widespread, and the escalation of war in 2022 has significantly increased the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), across the country.[1] Harmful social norms, attitudes and behaviours are still prevalent across Ukraine, and it remains critical to continue efforts to both prevent and respond to all forms of GBV. Due to the rapidly changing context brought on by the war, the Country Office expanded this outcome by adding provision of the necessary support to survivors and at-risk populations to the single focus on prevention efforts. Important progress was made through various GBV/CRSV prevention and response initiatives in collaboration with duty bearers and rights holders across the country. Women and girls at risk of GBV/CRSV and survivors of violence had access to primary psychological, humanitarian, social and legal support, ensuring their basic needs, protection and well-being. The following key results were achieved in 2022, providing access to support for survivors of GBV/CRSV and women and girls at risk of violence: Over 1,000 women and girls who are at severe risk of GBV or are survivors of GBV benefited from psychological, humanitarian and social support services, as well as information on available essential services, through UN Women’s pilot initiative ‘Safe Spaces.’ This support included individual and group therapy sessions for women survivors of GBV and awareness-raising prevention activities on human trafficking and VAWG. More than 5,000 women had access to legal information to enable victims/survivors of GBV to seek justice and demand the realization of their rights. This included women and girl survivors of CRSV benefiting from professional legal advice via a dedicated hotline run by the CSO ‘JurFem’. Access to legal information has been particularly important since February 2022 due to the disruption and non-responsiveness of many GBV specialized mechanisms and facilities, including many national legal aid services and GBV referral pathways. UN Women in partnership with various women’s CSOs provided these services to women and led legal awareness-raising activities, particularly on legal procedures and available protection mechanisms and services. Over 2,700 women and girls, including survivors of GBV, Domestic Violence and CRSV, received psychosocial assistance through the SafeWomenHUB platform established by a local CSO in partnership with UN Women and the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund. The platform provides psychological, humanitarian and social assistance to women and girls affected by war and aims to raise awareness on the prevention of sexual violence, sexual exploitation and trafficking. Through different social media channels, over 124,000 people have benefited from the resources available through the online platform. By partnering with local women-led CSOs and other GBV development actors, for example through the UN humanitarian GBV Sub-Cluster, UN Women has played a crucial role in coordinating efforts, piloting new initiatives and directing funding to local women’s organizations who are in the best position to provide support to affected women and girls. Women and girls at risk of GBV and survivors of violence, including CRSV and human trafficking, are better protected and supported through various national commitments, plans and policies. The following key documents were developed, revised or ratified in 2022, which significantly expands protection and prevention efforts for survivors of GBV and at-risk populations: The Istanbul Convention was ratified by the Parliament of Ukraine. Government of Ukraine and the UN made a joint commitment to address CRSV by signing a Framework of Cooperation on the prevention and response to CRSV and developing a plan for implementation. The revised National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security now includes a specific provision for people affected by human trafficking and expanded support for victims of GBV/CRSV. The newly approved State Strategy on Equal Rights and Opportunities of Women and Men (EROW&M) by 2030 and the operational action plan on its implementation in 2022–2024 includes a dedicated goal and corresponding actions related to GBV/CRSV prevention and response. The National Agency for Civil Service (NACS), as part of professional training for civil servants and local self-governance officials, developed and introduced a comprehensive training curriculum, “Detection of and response to CRSV and providing support to survivors” , to strengthen public officials’ knowledge and skills on CRSV prevention and response. The UN Transitional Framework includes specific results on the provision of GBV services to affected populations, and the Humanitarian Needs Overview highlights key guiding recommendations on how actors should consider GBV in ongoing efforts. These commitments, plans and policies are significant achievements as they outline a clear path for the Government and other duty bearers to end all forms of VAWG. These documents are largely underpinned by key recommendations from women’s civil society and inputs from international and national experts on GBV/CRSV/human trafficking. UN Women contributed significantly to these important results through the following support: Providing technical input to the Government and various partners during the drafting of the key documents, through international and national experts on GBV/CRSV/human trafficking. Facilitating public consultations between the Government and other duty bearers with women’s CSOs, including those representing women survivors of GBV/CRSV, to provide direct recommendations to key national processes. Facilitating lobbying and advocacy efforts with key decision makers and duty bearers on the approval, development and prioritization of these key documents (e.g. with various parliamentary working groups). Facilitating and actively participating in various working groups and coordination efforts with key stakeholders, such as the Anti-Trafficking Task Force, and the UN humanitarian Protection Cluster and its GBV Sub-Cluster, as well as the Gender in Humanitarian Action Sub Group (GiHA-SG). Conducting capacity development activities for government counterparts and key stakeholders, such as the trainings for 145 public officials (126 women, 19 men) from the National Police, Ministry of Social Policy, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ombudsperson’s Office and regional administrations on CRSV international frameworks, national regulations and referral pathways and available services for CRSV survivors. The theory of change (ToC) is mostly not valid due to changes in the context, programmes and operations of the Country because of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and war in Ukraine. As the new Strategic Note (SN) was developed as an interim and only for one year (2023), a new ToC will be developed for the next Strategic Note which will cover a longer period to better reflect the rapidly changing context and needs and priorities for women and girls. The new ToC will need to fully capture changes related to related to social norms, attitudes and behaviours perspective. [1] UN Women and CARE International, Rapid Gender Analysis of Ukraine, 4 May 2022 .