GBV Sub-Cluster meeting Meeting Minutes

Joint National / Subnational GBV Sub-Clusters meeting

24 September 2020, 12:00 – 14:00

Agenda:

1. Updates from partners (challenges, observations, opportunities to cooperate) and existing practices of providing remote and outreach assistance in humanitarian context;

2. Updates from GBV Sub-Cluster.

1. Updates from partners (challenges, observations, opportunities to cooperate) and existing practices of providing remote and outreach assistance in humanitarian context

Social Protection Department of Oblast State Administration briefed the partners that a shelter for GBV survivors started operating in Rubizhne on 16 September 2020. Two safe space solutions in Kremenaya city and Popasnianskyi rayon are to be opened by the end of the year. The Governor of issued a protocol order to review the budget for the next year ensuring the establishment of safe space solutions for GBV survivors on the oblast territory. Together with the Agency of regional development of eastern Donbas, within the USAID project, the Department conducted 10 trainings for 80 women on self-employment and business, covering the issues of gender equality and GBV. 10 mobile teams and oblast hotline continue operating. The number of calls and applications from GBV survivors doubled. As of 1 September 2020, 670 restraining orders were issued by the police and 3 orders were issued by the court. A Coordination Council meeting is planned for 25 September 2020.

GBV Sub-Cluster Coordinator briefed the partners on the President’s Decree “On urgent measures to prevent and combat domestic and gender-based violence, and to protect the rights of survivors of such violence”, which came into force on 21 September 2020.

NGO “People in Need'' reported on a meeting with the social services center of Popasnianskyi rayon and representatives of shelter in Slovyansk city regarding the exchange of experience on the establishment of safe space solutions for GBV survivors. A toll-free 24/7 hotline and mobile team of psychologists continue operating. The trainings on prevention of burnout, mental health support for social workers in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts are ongoing.

UNHCR continues to implement activities in GBV prevention and response, including the support of NGO R2P regarding the provision of legal aid for GBV survivors. NGO “Proliska” is currently engaged in the provision of psychological support. Moreover, UNHCR continues to implement the activities related to providing financial support to vulnerable populations with a priority on GBV survivors. Center for GBV survivors in Slovyanoserbskyi rayon, Luhansk oblast is operational, however the referral mechanism to the center is not. 12 women the majority of whom are GBV survivors currently receive the support provided by the Center. The specialized support is available for 10 days, however this support is not fully comprehensive.

Integration into the future in Vugledar amalgamated territorial community implements project activities related to the creation of daycare center of psychosocial support for GBV survivors. starting from September 2020.

Charitable Foundation “Slavic Heart” continues to implement activities related to DV/GBV prevention and response, mobile team and 24/7 hotline are operational. The Charitable Foundation outlined the ongoing challenges for GBV survivors to access shelters during COVID-19 pandemic, including the issue for survivors in emergency cases to receive COVID-19 medical testing prior to entering the safe space.

National toll-free hotline La Strada reported its statistics: ● In August 2020 - 1567 applications by telephone and 463 electronic; ● In September, by 23rd - 1120 telephone calls. ● Calls from GBV survivors against perpetrators who belong to police units and/or army units increased. During 2019-2020 the organization was actively involved in the development of the draft law aimed at establishing and ensuring administrative liability for representatives of police units and/or army units in DV/GBV cases. The draft law is currently under the consideration of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. In the end of August 2020, the organization published a monitoring report on judicial response in DV/GBV cases in 2019. In September 2020, La Strada Ukraine started monitoring police response in DV/GBV cases.

Charitable Foundation “Child’s Smile” jointly with UN Women implements the project aimed at supporting most vulnerable women and families affected by COVID-19 pandemic, including GBV survivors. The support includes legal assistance, case management, and material aid. Charitable Foundation works in 15 hromadas of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Also, it plans to conduct the sessions on GBV prevention.

UN Women implements its projects in Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. In Luhansk oblast it mainly focuses on the DV/GBV prevention and response. UN women conducted and published a research study “Operational gender assessment of the situation and needs of women in the context of COVID-19 in Ukraine”. In 16 targeted hromadas of Luhansk oblast women of self-help groups have mobilized their efforts and established support groups “equal to equal”, which on a regular basis share information on existing services for GBV survivors, and legislative updates. During the last two months partner organisation Fund of public health conducted seminars for perpetrators aimed at increasing their knowledge on the consequences, including criminal sanctions in GBV cases. Within the global initiative “Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces for Women and Girls” Rubizhne city became the first Ukrainian city to develop a city program” Rubizhne - safe city for women and girls”. A memorandum aimed to combat sexual violence, sexual harassment in Rubizhne city was signed between Rubizhne city council, patrol police and transport enterprises. Focus groups on how to undertake safety audits were organized in , , Novodar. Working groups on the development of city programmes “safe city” were established.

Action Point: UN Women to share a research study “Operational gender assessment of the situation and needs of women in context of COVID-19 in Ukraine” with GBV Sub-Cluster partners.

2. Updates from GBV Sub-Cluster

GBV Sub-Cluster/UNFPA reported on a training “Intersectoral response to GBV: the assistance provision for GBV survivors” which was conducted on 10-11 September 2020 in Sviatohirsk, Donetsk oblast. The training also covered the information on response to sexual exploitation and abuse. During the discussions GBV Sub-Cluster/UNFPA received a request to develop and share with the partners a more detailed and comprehensive material on key differences between GBV, SEA and CRSV. Finally, UNFPA reminded the partners to complete a newly developed GBV/PSEA survey.

Action Point: GBV Sub-Cluster/UNFPA to develop and share a comprehensive document on key differences between GBV, SEA and CRSV.

GBV Sub-Cluster Coordinator shared information on recently developed assessment regarding GBV service provision in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts by ACTED.

Participants:

GBV Sub-Cluster / UNFPA Social Protection Department of Luhansk Oblast State Administration INGO “People in Need'' UNHCR Integration into the future in Vugledar amalgamated territorial community Charitable Foundation “Slavic Heart” National toll-free hotline La Strada Ukraine Charitable Foundation “Child’s Smile” UN Women Regional Center of free secondary legal aid in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts Luhansk oblast center of psychosocial support GIZ OSCE SMM USAID IOM