18th July 2024

Ukraine – Sexual Violence and Stigmatisation of Victims – NGO Shadow Report on the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Ukraine, July 2024

Equality Now, together with the partners The European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), Women’s  Initiatives for Gender Justice (WIGJ), La Strada Ukraine, Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group (ULAG), and independent legal consultant Carolyn Edgerton, submitted the shadow report on the Implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence in Ukraine.

 

What’s included in the submission?

This shadow report identifies challenges in the legislation and practices of the criminal justice system in Ukraine concerning the investigation and prosecution of rape and other sexual violence crimes against women and girls, with a focus throughout on the negative impact of gender-based myths and stereotypes on all phases of the criminal justice process, and the stigmatization of victims.

Who’s it for?

  • GREVIO Committee
  • Law and policymakers
  • Legal professionals
  • Government institutions

Key takeaways and recommendations

  • Address gender-based myths and stereotypes, identify intersecting vulnerabilities, and ensure victim-centered approaches.
  • Reinforce existing training for members of the judiciary and other stakeholders on understanding and interpreting voluntary consent and coercion and coercive circumstances, among others, in line with international standards and practice.

Explore more resources

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Kazakhstan – Information for Consideration by Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) at its Pre-Sessional Working Group in July 2025

In our submission, we detail concerns regarding laws related to sexual violence and child and forced marriage, as well as procedures and practices that effectively deny access to justice for women and girls who are survivors of sexual violence and child and forced marriage.

Intervention on the Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa

Equality Now calls for stronger implementation of the Maputo Protocol, including lifting reservations, reforming discriminatory laws, ending FGM, and ensuring State accountability.

Intervention on the Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa

Equality Now urges action to end gender discrimination in nationality laws and calls for the ratification of the AU Nationality Protocol.

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