"Gather your strength and seek help": how UN Women and WPHF support LBQ women in frontline Kharkiv

Anastasiia Popova, project manager of NGO "Sphere", at the organization's office. Kharkiv, April 2026. Photo: UN Women / Denys Kryvopyshyn 

Every June, Pride Month is celebrated to support the LGBTQ+ community, honor its contributions to society, and advocate for equal rights and human dignity.

Since 2022, UN Women Ukraine, together with the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), has been partnering with civil society organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community. One such organization is the Kharkiv-based NGO "Sphere", which, as part of the current joint project, provides psychological support to women who have experienced gender-based violence, including LBQ women (LBQ – a segment of the LGBTQ+ community: lesbians, bisexual, and queer women).

We spoke with Anastasiia Popova, project manager of NGO "Sphere", and Valeriia Khomenko, the project's psychologist, about how support is provided to survivors and what it means for LBQ women to have a place where they can speak about violence.  

An abusive relationship or returning to a homophobic family?

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has affected every sphere of life and deepened existing challenges. When daily survival and safety are at stake, other issues can seem less urgent – including gender-based violence (GBV).

According to NGO "Sphere" representatives, what is distinctive for LBQ women survivors is not so much the nature of the request for psychological help related to GBV, but the context in which that need arises.  

"An LBQ woman may come to us due to family rejection, the loss of support networks because of forced displacement, or the need to return to living with parents for safety or financial reasons – even if it means facing violence, pressure, or rejection from relatives," says Anastasiia Popova, project manager.

These circumstances make LBQ women even more vulnerable to violence. As Anastasiia notes, they have been approached by young LBQ women who remained in abusive relationships rather than returning to a homophobic family home – because home was even worse.

The invisibility of violence

One of the greatest challenges for LBQ women is the invisibility of the violence itself. According to Anastasiia, general GBV support services rarely demonstrate openness to queer experiences ("queer experience" refers to any feelings or life situations of a person who differs from generally accepted norms regarding sexual orientation or gender — ed.). Some services also fail to account for the experiences of transgender women, and crisis rooms and shelters often remain inaccessible to them.

NGO "Sphere" notes that, out of fear of judgment or misunderstanding, LBQ women who have a choice more often turn to LGBTQ+ organizations' support programs rather than general services, as they feel safer there.  
"If free support runs out or is unavailable, some turn to a private specialist on a paid basis rather than to state institutions. And if that option is also unavailable, a person may not seek help at all – even if a free state program exists," says Anastasiia Popova.

Working with LBQ women often requires a different approach and an understanding of the context: legislative constraints, the socio-political situation, and challenges that affect their psychological well-being.

According to Anastasiia, some survivors who had previously turned to general services reported that the specialist was friendly but not knowledgeable, and half of the consultation was spent explaining what gender dysphoria (psychological distress caused by a discrepancy between a person's gender identity and the sex assigned at birth – ed.) is and why it is a real condition.

"The project's psychologists also note that such clients often need significantly more time to establish the trust necessary for effective work. And it is always important to ask about the correct pronouns and the name by which the person feels comfortable being addressed," adds Anastasiia.

At the same time, the lack of legal recognition for same-sex relationships remains a problem.  

"This means that violence in such couples often cannot be recorded as 'domestic violence.' It does not appear in official statistics and remains outside the attention of some support service specialists," adds Anastasiia Popova.

"I always say: I have time for you"

"Clients often come in and say: 'I'm taking up your time' or 'maybe this isn't that important.' I always tell them: I have time for you – it will be given to you, you are not taking it from anyone. It was created for you, literally," says Valeriia Khomenko, psychologist. 

Valeriia Khomenko, psychologist of the project implemented by NGO "Sphere" with the support of UN Women Ukraine and funded by WPHF. Kharkiv, April 2026. Photo: UN Women / Denys Kryvopyshyn 

As part of the joint project with UN Women and WPHF, she conducts individual psychological consultations. A significant portion of her clients are LBQ women. Valeriia works with them in a crisis format: women come not for long-term therapy, but for support in the here and now.

"Usually five sessions are enough to stabilize. Some take one, some two, and some take all five," adds Valeriia.

The NGO "Sphere" office where psychological consultations for GBV survivors take place. Kharkiv, April 2026. Photo: UN Women / Denys Kryvopyshyn 

As Anastasiia Popova notes, client feedback within the project confirms that the consultations help LBQ women navigate crisis situations and gain confidence – to keep looking for work, build relationships, and cope with the difficult security situation in the city.

In addition to consultations, the joint project includes several other activities. NGO "Sphere" is developing a reference guide with recommendations on responding to GBV cases for specialists at institutions where survivors may seek help – IDP centers, hospitals, crisis centers, and shelters. Training for educational staff is also underway, covering the specifics of working with LGBTQ+ individuals, while trainings for police and psychology students are currently being developed.

All of these efforts are essential – but most importantly, they aim to encourage women themselves to seek help. For those who are still hesitant, Anastasiia emphasizes:

"I know that women can suffer from violence for years. My main message is: gather your strength and seek help – from specialized organizations, from friends or relatives who can offer support."

This project is produced by NGO "Sphere", funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with technical support of UN Women Ukraine. The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.

This publication is produced with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included does not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.