A capacity building workshop “Action against child sexual exploitation and abuse in Ukraine “ was organized in Kiev on 5^th – 6^th October 2017 for civil society organisations (CSOs) by the Council of Europe project Combating violence against women and children in Ukraine. It gathered over 60 CSOs working on child rights and internet safety in Ukraine and was opened by Mr Kuleba, Commissioner of the President of Ukraine on Children’s Rights, Ms Federovych, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Social Policy, and Ms Filipishyna, Parliamentery Ombusman.

The objective of the workshop was twofold: to train child rights CSOs on the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (“the Lanzarote Convention”), its application in the Ukrainian context and monitoring by the Committee of the Parties (the Lanzarote Committee”); as well as to build their capacities to engage in awareness raising activities to prevent and protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. CSOs were encouraged and equipped with skills to contribute towards the on-going 2^nd monitoring round of the Lanzarote Committee on protecting children from ICT-facilitated sexual abuse and to mark the 2017 edition of the European Day on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and abuse on the 18^th November through awareness raising and education activities.

The Council of Europe project Combating violence against women and children in Ukraine is implemented in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine (2015-2017). It aims at supporting Ukrainian authorities, professionals and civil society to prevent and combat violence against women and children in line with European and international standards. With regard to preventing and protecting children from violence, the project seeks to promote the effective implementation of the Lanzarote Convention, of which Ukraine is a party since 2012. Council of Europe is committed to fostering dialogue between authorities and civil society and thus contributing to the transparency of reforms and supporting independent monitoring mechanisms.

2017 edition of the European Day

www.coe.int/en/web/children/lanzarote-convention  

https://www.coe.int/en/web/kyiv/combating-violence-against-women-and-children-in-ukraine

www.coe.int/en/web/kyiv

www.coe.int/children