Training for regional representatives and personnel of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights on working with CRSV survivors

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion to Ukraine, one-third of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, most of them women and children. The risks of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) have increased. Due to the security situation, stigmatization, and limited access to high-quality psychological and medical services, it is currently difficult to assess the extent of human rights violations in Ukraine, including cases of CRSV, which according to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine as of May 1, 2025, amounted to 359 (226 women, 133 men, 1 boy and 18 girls).

In order to strengthen the support system for CRSV survivors, UN Women and the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights conducted a training for regional representatives and personnel of the Commissioner within of the Framework of Cooperation between the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations on the prevention and response to CRSV. 

During the training, the participants enhanced their knowledge and skills on:

• building the capacity of the Office of the Ombudsperson of Ukraine to monitor human rights violations related to the crimes of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), familiarisation with the national framework of CRSV;
• strengthening the capacity of strengthen the internal coordination and cooperation between the Regional representatives and the national Office Staff of the Obmudperson’s Office to ensure effective monitoring of CRSV regionally;
• enhancing CRSV referrals at the regional level with the use of ethical considerations and survivor-centred approach;
• presentation of first draft of Methodological Recommendations on monitoring the work of State institutions with CRSV survivors and management of their cases, and seeking feedback and inputs from Regional Representatives.

"This ToT is an example of how to make things right when it comes to CRSV response. By bringing survivors, civil society and regional representatives of the Ombudsperson together to discuss the Methodological Recommendations, we (UN Women) are ensuring a common vision and most importantly, a survivor-centered approach. The joint and strong investment that we witnessed during these three days can only render our work more effective to the benefit of survivors", says German Vega Cortes, Women Protection Adviser at UN Women Ukraine.

The training was organized within the framework of the project “Joint Program for Ukraine on CRSV”, implemented by UN Women with the financial support of the European Union. 

Photo: UN Women/Valeria Pysetska