GBV AOR Annual E-Bulletin Ukraine 2023 [EN/UK]

Context for GBV Prevention and Response in 2023

Gender-based violence (GBV), including Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), is a critical and life-threatening concern, especially for women and girls, in conflict-affected Ukraine. The beginning of the full-scale war in February 2022, the deterioration of the security context and the resulting socio-economic situation have sharply increased the risk of multiple forms of violence -- including CRSV, sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), trafficking in people, domestic violence and other forms of GBV.

HNO Ukraine 2023 estimated 3.6 million people including IDPs, returnees and non-displaced people, requiring GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response services. While the majority affected were women and girls (90%), men and boys were also identified as affected by GBV. To respond to identified needs GBV AoR partners focused on filling up the widespread gaps in availability and accessibility of life-saving essential services for GBV survivors, including post-rape care, case management, and psychosocial and legal support and other assistance. Other efforts focused on coordination, advocacy, awareness raising, and capacity enhancement, as well as improved data generation, analysis, and dissemination.

According to 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), 2.5 million people are in need of humanitarian GBV assistance.

In 2023, the interagency Gender Based Violence AoR achieved the following:

• 1,633,300 most vulnerable individuals, including survivors and those at risk of GBV, were assisted in 23 regions and Kyiv city with essential services and life-saving information on risks, preventive action and available support. The GBV AoR reached 130% of its target specified in the HRP 2023.

• The E-Map of GBV Services: Entry Points for GBV Referrals and Generic GBViE Referral Pathway in Ukraine were established and kept up-to-date to support effective referral of GBV survivors to services required.

• Established in 2023 the GBV AoR Case Management Task Team developed the Inter-Agency Standard Operational Procedures on Gender-Based Violence Case Management for Humanitarian Actors in Ukraine and translated the Global Interagency GBV Case Management Guidelines into the Ukrainian enabling standardized approach in line with the GBViE Minimum standards.

• Established in 2023 the GBV AoR Working Group on Needs of Male Survivors of Sexual Violence conducted a survey with the participation of 61 organizations replying from 35 locations in Ukraine, outcomes documented in the report "Service Barriers Faced by Male Survivors of Sexual Violence in Ukraine". Furthermore, the Guidance Note - Working with Male Survivors of Sexual Violence in Ukraine and the related training module was developed contextualizing existing global guidelines.