Ukrainian female displaced persons require further support for long-term integration, states OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine report

KYIV, 7 March 2017 – Internally displaced women still face many issues that prevent them from successful long-term integration into the host communities, states an OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (PCU) report released today in Kyiv. The research was conducted by the NGONGO
non-governmental organization “Youth Alternative”, at the request of the Social Policy Ministry of Ukraine.

“As one-third of the 1.7 million Ukrainian internally displaced persons (IDPs) reportedly opt to remain in their new host communities, and women make up a large part of this process, it is important to understand whether they feel comfortable about the support provided and what further interventions might be needed,” said Natalia Fedoroych, Deputy Social Policy Minister. “The outcomes of the research will help us to consolidate efforts at national and local levels for the adaptation and integration of this vulnerable group.”

The assessment, conducted in the Kyiv, Lviv and Vinnytsia regions and the city of Kyiv, aimed at mapping the problems faced by IDPs in large and small cities and rural areas – with a focus on women – and gathering recommendations for how local, regional and national authorities can enhance their strategies and policies for long-term integration.

Focus groups, in-depth interviews and roundtable discussions outlined challenges related to the psychological adaptation of IDPs, employment and business opportunities, financial and legal assistance as well as available education, health care and housing. The study also explored assumptions about domestic and gender-based violence in IDP communities, the perception and practices of IDP interaction with host communities and communication channels available to IDPs.

Ambassador Vaidotas Verba, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, said that while most of the IDPs surveyed confirmed that they were receiving basic uniform services and payments, they still face particular problems that require targeted interventions. “It is a very positive finding that some IDPs see their active participation in the life of their host communities as  a precondition for successful integration.”

The research was conducted in the framework of the OSCE PCU project “Addressing conflict-related threats to social security in Ukraine”. The report is available in Ukrainian under the link //www.osce.org/uk/ukraine/303191 and a brief summary in English can be viewed at //www.osce.org/ukraine/303186 .