“Law must serve the people,” — Daria Hrosul, consultant at the JurFem Analytical Center

Daria Hrosul is an international lawyer, a Young European Ambassador to Ukraine, and a consultant for the Analytical Center of the Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association “JurFem”. She is also a junior lawyer at the Center for Democracy and the Rule of Law. Each year, Daria has actively participated in marches advocating for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and is currently involved in shaping legislative changes to ensure its implementation. Additionally, she is a participant in the youth initiative “Equality.Leadership.Future” and the author of the advocacy campaign “Without Fear Behind Your Back”.

What prompted you to start your advocacy campaign? Was there a specific case or observation that highlighted the urgent need for legislative change?

The campaign “Without Fear Behind Your Back” was launched in response to the ongoing prevalence of domestic and sexual violence, which continues to be a painful reality for thousands of women in Ukraine. We hear only a fraction of these stories, while many others remain hidden. Sadly, these cases are not isolated; they are part of a system where violence is often silenced, justified, or goes unpunished. Additionally, some forms of violence are still not addressed in our legislation. For instance, there is no legal accountability for harassment or violence in the digital space. We also do not know how many Ukrainian women who left the country after the full-scale invasion are experiencing domestic or sexual violence. Many of them struggle with language barriers, lack awareness of available protection systems, and have limited access to legal resources in their new countries to help them.

The focus of my information campaign is the full and effective implementation of the Istanbul Convention. This international document not only provides tools to prevent and punish various forms of violence, but it also requires the state to establish a support system for victims. It is important to me that everyone knows they are not alone and that their rights are not just abstract concepts, but a reality that must be protected every day and at all levels.

Has the attitude towards domestic violence changed since the outbreak of full-scale war? What trends do you observe?

One of the main challenges is that violence is often seen as a “secondary” issue, particularly during wartime when attention is directed towards security and economic concerns. However, war does not diminish the need to address domestic or sexual violence, and statistics support this. In 2024, there were 2,777 recorded criminal proceedings related to domestic violence. This represents a 5% increase compared to 2023 and a 17% increase compared to 2021.

What tools or channels do you use to raise awareness about this issue?

The main focus of the campaign is a series of interviews on Hromadske Radio featuring Members of Parliament (MPs), experts, and human rights activists. During these discussions, they explore the significance of implementing the provisions of the Istanbul Convention and specific innovations found in proposed legislation. Additionally, we are preparing publications that clarify the key aspects of several draft laws. These include: 

• Draft Law No. 10420, which aims to change the approach to protecting the rights of children who have experienced sexual and other forms of violence. 

• Draft Law No. 11270, which seeks to expand the system of protection against domestic violence outside Ukraine by involving foreign diplomatic institutions. 

• Draft Law No. 12297, which focuses on updating various provisions of the Criminal Code to align with the requirements of the Istanbul Convention, emphasizing the importance of their implementation.

Such initiatives often encounter myths or misconceptions. Which of these have you had to address while preparing a campaign?

One of the most common myths is that the Istanbul Convention “only protects women”. In reality, it aims to protect all victims of violence, regardless of their gender, making it a universal instrument. While statistics indicate that women are more likely to experience violence—which is an important point to acknowledge—the Convention considers the needs of all victims of violence and provides a legal framework for their protection.

How do you evaluate the role of civil society organizations in implementing the Istanbul Convention? To what extent do you think the state engages with or listens to civil society?

The ratification of the Istanbul Convention would not have been possible without the involvement of civil society organizations. These organizations have extensive experience working with survivors, which enables them to effectively assess the needs of those experiencing gender-based violence and identify gaps in existing protection mechanisms. Today, civil society plays a crucial role in assisting survivors, training professionals, and advocating for the ongoing development of national legislation in alignment with the Istanbul Convention.

What do you envision as the ideal outcome of this campaign? What changes in legislation and public consciousness are necessary to facilitate a genuine discussion about implementing the Istanbul Convention?

The ideal outcome of this campaign is to persuade lawmakers of the importance of adopting draft laws that will fully uphold the obligations Ukraine committed to after ratifying the Istanbul Convention. Additionally, it is vital to ensure the effective implementation of these changes so that every individual, regardless of gender, age, or social status, feels supported by a responsive and fair legal protection system that can act at any moment.

This publication has been developed within the Equality.Leadership.Future initiative implemented by NGO Girls within the framework of the UN Women’s project "Women's Increased Leadership for Resilient and Peaceful Societies" funded by the Government of Denmark, as well as the project “Transformational Approaches to Achieving Gender Equality in Ukraine" implemented with financial support from the Government of Sweden and in cooperation with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and in partnerships with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine. Financial support for the initiative is also provided by the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).