On November 25, the international community marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – a day that underscores the global responsibility of states to uphold the rights of women and girls, and to ensure their safety, equality, and dignity. In Ukraine, this day traditionally launches the annual international campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence,” aimed at consolidating the efforts of the state, civil society, and international partners to combat all forms of gender-based violence.
Ukraine is a party to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), fulfils its commitments under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), and contributes to the implementation of international human rights standards within the frameworks of the UN, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE. One of the key achievements has been Ukraine’s accession to the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention), which significantly strengthened the national system for protecting survivors and introduced additional mechanisms for preventing violence.
The full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has further exacerbated the issue of violence against women and girls, as well as the urgency of humanitarian and human rights responses. Russia continues to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including the use of conflict-related sexual violence as a weapon of war and an instrument of terror against the civilian population.
Ukraine systematically documents these crimes in line with international standards, cooperates with UN, OSCE, and Council of Europe mechanisms, as well as with the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Every documented case is transmitted to the competent authorities to ensure accountability through national courts and international mechanisms, including in cooperation with the International Criminal Court.
Ukraine consistently implements the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace, Security” and has adopted its third National Action Plan for its implementation. The National Action Plan covers women’s participation in decision-making processes, violence prevention, protection and rehabilitation of survivors, and recovery efforts — including responses to Russia’s war crimes against Ukrainian women and girls.
Despite these efforts, the reduction of global international humanitarian assistance programmes poses serious risks for millions of Ukrainian women who confront the consequences of Russia’s aggression every day. Ukrainian women continue to play indispensable roles as servicewoman , medics , diplomats, volunteers, rescuers , and community leaders. They support their families and communities, contribute to the country’s reconstruction, and master complex and heavy-industry professions, ensuring the resilience of the state despite constant shelling, destruction, and humanitarian challenges caused by Russian aggression.
Ukraine calls on the international community to support and strengthen programmes aimed at protecting women and girls, ensuring their rights, and providing access to assistance and justice.
The protection of women and the prevention of all forms of violence are not only obligations of the state — they are also an essential part of the global effort to uphold peace, justice, and the inviolability of the international legal order.