Ukraine is taking part in the international action “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence”

From 25 November to 10 December Ukraine will be taking part in “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence” which is this year focusing on countering violence in the family.

The action traditionally begins on 25 November, International Day against Violence against Women, and continues to International Human Rights Day on 10 December. The days of activism have been held around the world since 1991, and Ukraine joined them in 2001.

The aim of the action is to draw public attention to the reality for Ukrainian society of the problems of overcoming violence in the family, to activate partnership between civic organizations and state authorities in preventing violence and protecting the rights of women in Ukraine, and to promote non-violent ideology in territorial communities and in Ukrainian society as a whole.

“It is symbolic that this action has coincided with the parliamentary hearings on the Contemporary situation and present tasks in prevention of gender violence”, the Director of the Department of Family and Gender Policy of the Ministry on Family, Youth and Sport, Elsa Leshchenko at a press conference in Kyiv on 24 November. She stated that these days of activism would be held in accordance with an Order from the Minister on Family, Youth and Sport Yury Pavlenko in each region, carried out by members of the Ministry together with representatives of civic women’s and youth organizations.

“In contrast to previous years, we have extended the types of events and there will not only be training seminars, roundtables and exhibitions, but also theatre performances, special lessons in schools and even special rock concerts”.