OSCE promotes combating violence against women in Ukraine as part of international campaign
KYIV, 25 November 2013 – As the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is marked and the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” international campaign gets underway today, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (PCU) gathered state officials, journalists, and civil society activists at an awareness-raising event in Kyiv.
The event, which was held jointly with the Ukrainian Ministries of Social Policy and Interior, and the parliament’s Commissioner on Human Rights, aimed at publicizing the state of affairs of domestic violence in Ukraine, including gender violence, as well as presenting and promoting the legal and institutional tools necessary for dealing with the problem. Other closely related issues, such as trafficking in human beings, violence against children and problems of inequality between men and women were also discussed.
“Combating gender-based violence is a serious challenge not only for Ukraine, but for all OSCE participating states. It needs continuous awareness-raising efforts, supported by the media and civil society, to help cement a zero-tolerance attitude in society,” said Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.
“One of our main tasks is to convey to the public that domestic violence is an unacceptable and serious problem that needs to be addressed,” said Natalia Korolevska, Social Policy Minister. “The government has launched a new mandate for 12,000 social workers to better assist those affected by the problem. To combat the problem, social service providers, the civil society and the media must co-operate.”
Jarbussynova also supported a flashmob demonstration at Sophiyska Square in Kyiv, organized by Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health and United Nation Population Fund. The civil society activists gathered together to form human columns depicting symbols of masculinity and femininity, as well as the symbol of the UN campaign to combat violence against women.