Project “Combatting Violence Against Women in Ukraine” (COVAW)

Project duration: 1 January 2021 - 31 December 2022

Project Description:

The COVAW project has been designed in line with the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine (2018-2022) as regards supporting national legislation and policy reforms related to combatting domestic violence, and raising awareness of authorities and the Ukrainian public concerning both the Istanbul Convention and violence against women.

The two components of COVAW – awareness raising and legislative frameworks – provide a double level of support to Ukraine in preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in line with the standards of the Istanbul Convention.

The COVAW project will specifically aim to contribute to the success of the Action Plan through supporting the following priorities:

• adoption of necessary legislation for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by working with the relevant Committees of the Verkhovna Rada;
• increased awareness of the authorities at different levels regarding the problem of violence against women and domestic violence in Ukraine and the need to combat it; sharing information about the Istanbul Convention and other international standards in this area;
• raising awareness of society on combating stereotypes and gender inequality, risks of domestic violence and the international standards to combat it, including the Istanbul Convention.
• strengthened capacities and increased knowledge of relevant professionals and stakeholders, including in selected amalgamated communities;
• identification of gaps hindering prevention of violence against women, protection of victims of this violence, prosecution of perpetrators or integrated policies at a central or local level;
• legislative reforms and improved policy to aid victims of violence against women and domestic violence.

The project will work throughout Ukraine to contribute to the creation of an efficient system of protection of victims of violence against women and domestic violence in Ukraine.

February – December 2022

The project was suspended from February to May 2022 in light of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine. In April 2022 the COVAW project was adjusted to reflect needs expressed by stakeholders and assessed as urgent by the Council of Europe.

With the project adjustment, one additional Immediate Outcome has been added: Ukrainian authorities and civil society are supported through emergency awareness raising measures.

Under this Immediate Outcome, five new outputs have been developed, as reflected in the approved Priority Adjustments to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-2022.

• Support local NGOs to protect and promote women’s and girls’ rights tailored to the situation of armed conflicts and the specific vulnerabilities faced by women and girls. 
• Mapping of social services to support the National Social Service of Ukraine’s social media campaign. 
• Support the Ukrainian authorities to put in place gender-sensitive reception procedures and support services. 
• Coordination of an online international conference on addressing violence against women and domestic violence in emergencies. 
• Istanbul Convention implementation efforts.

• The Cabinet of Ministers, Office of Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine
• Verkhovna Rada/Parliament of Ukraine
• The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine
• The Office of the Government Commissioner on Gender Policy
• The National Bar Association of Ukraine
• The Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision
• The National Association of District (Rayon) and Oblast Councils
• Women's rights selected civil society organisations

 Combating violence against women and children in Ukraine (coe.int)

 The Istanbul Convention: a tool to advance in fighting violence against women and domestic violence in Ukraine (coe.int)