Behind every human impact story there are people who found themselves in challenging circumstances but found the strength to change their lives. One of these stories is about Mariia, a 47-year-old woman who had long suffered from gender-based violence by her alcohol-abusing husband. Not only she suffered, but also their son, who was forced to grow up in an atmosphere of constant tension and fear. The woman's voice remained unheard for a long time, and the walls of her home became a trap from which it seemed impossible to escape. Mariia could not leave because she did not have her own home, and meanwhile, her husband abused her daily, both physically and psychologically.
Mariia learned about the NGO “Divchata” (“Girls”) from the social protection service of her district. Meeting with the organization's specialists was the first real chance for her to be saved. The primary task of the case manager, who accompanied Mariia on her way to recovery and moving away from the abuser, was to provide safety for Mariia and her son and access to qualified legal assistance. The woman was referred to the lawyers of the partner organization, where she received professional advice on the mechanisms for protecting her rights and the possibilities of legal action against her husband. That was Mariia’s first step towards feeling the support of the system and realizing that she was not alone in her struggle.
At the same time, the woman was referred to another organization to receive household items, including bedding and hygiene products, because the little things that seem ordinary to us can often become critically important for a person in crisis.
Thanks to the financial support of the NGO “Divchata” within the framework of the project “Strengthening Access and Service Provision for SRH Support and GBV Prevention among Conflict-Affected Women and Girls in Eastern and Southern Ukraine” in cooperation with the international humanitarian organization CARE, with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, Mariia managed to rent an apartment in the other city, far from the one where she used to live with her abusive husband, and move together with her son. There, she was able to find a job in manufacturing and start her life from scratch, in a safe environment, without fear for her own life and the life of her child.
Every meeting, every conversation with Mariia was not just a coordination of actions. It was support that helped her believe in herself. The woman gradually began to open up, talk about her dreams and plans for the future. Mariia and the case manager developed an individual action plan that included not only legal and material support, but also emotional recovery. In such situations, there are no minor details as every consultation, action, and minute of support matters. Coordination between different organizations, rapid response to the needs, and the beneficiary's trust in the case manager were key components of success.
"For me, as a case manager, this is not just a success story, but a story about humanity, about the power of support, and about the importance of being there for someone in the most difficult moments of life. Each case is a responsibility, but at the same time it is a huge reward when you see a person who used to be on the verge learn to live a full life again,“ says the specialist of the NGO ”Divchata". Mariia's path to safety and a new quality of life was not easy, but thanks to the comprehensive work of the team of the NGO “Divchata”, the involvement of partners and her own inner strength, the woman was able to find peace and confidence in the future.
Mariia is safe and confident about her future now. She continues to cooperate with our organization and plans to join the programs supporting women survivors of violence as a mentor. Her example inspires other women not to remain silent about violence and seek help.
