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MASHA EFROSININA EXPLORES GBV RESPONSE SYSTEMS IN KHERSON AND MYKOLAIV
In September 2021, UNFPA Ukraine Honorary Ambassador Masha Efrosinina visited specialised services for GBV survivors and people at risk in Kherson and Mykolaiv. Both cities joined the UNFPA “Cities and Communities Free from Domestic Violence” project in 2020, and continue developing robust municipal systems of GBV response and prevention.
In Kherson, Masha Efrosinina explored the operation of the shelter and daycare centre for GBV survivors, set up with UNFPA technical expertise and UK and Canada financial support. Honorary Ambassador met with municipal authorities, local police, specialised service providers and civil society organisations to discuss the city’s approach to a systemic response to GBV. Kherson has a police mobile group of GBV response, acting as first-line responders and referring GBV survivors to the local shelter. The shelter can host 12 people simultaneously, providing survivors with qualified psychological, social and legal counselling. Masha Efrosinina also visited UNFPA-supported social enterprise – photo & video studio “ENJi – Light and Shadow”. Employing GBV survivors, the studio lights their way to economic independence and violence-free life. The social enterprise also conducts professional courses for GBV survivors and supports the GBV response work in the city.
In Mykolaiv, Honorary Ambassador paid a visit to a local daycare centre for GBV survivors and people at risk. There, Masha Efrosinina discussed the city’s approach to addressing GBV with local police, specialised service providers and civil society organisations. The daycare centre started working in June 2021 and has already provided social, psychological and legal support to 304 people in need. The city has a police mobile group of GBV response, addressing the cases of violence in local households. Soon, Mykolaiv plans to open a shelter for GBV survivors, completing a local system of specialised services for GBV survivors. Stay tuned to hear the news about the shelter’s launch in Mykolaiv and Masha’s new destinations in exploring municipal systems of GBV response and prevention.