June 19 - International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
The war in Ukraine significantly increases the risks of all forms of violence, including sexual violence. According to a UN assessment conducted in June 2023, 15% of Ukrainian women reported sexual violence by Russian military personnel. It is a tool of terror used by the aggressor country in the war.
The NGO Girls works extensively with gender-based violence. In 2024, in cooperation with World Vision, we conducted a comprehensive study on the prevalence of GBV in Ukraine.
According to the study, harassment, threats, and sexual violence are more frequently experienced by residents of southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, correlating directly with proximity to conflict zones and experiences of occupation or displacement. Among these groups, internally displaced persons most often experienced sexual violence.
The current situation with gender-based violence in Ukraine requires significantly more resources than are currently available. According to the Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, 2.5 million people need prevention, response, and risk reduction for GBV throughout 2024. However, funding is currently only provided for one-third of the affected population. The NGO Girls advocates for increased funding for the sector at the international level.
