Achieving municipal breakthrough in the effective response to sexual and gender-based violence

This project aims to improve the security and protection from sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) for women and girls in Ukraine. It works to increase national institutions' capacity to provide quality gender-sensitive survivor-oriented and inclusive services. It seeks to conduct awareness-raising and prevention initiatives to promote zero tolerance for violence. In response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 they adapted certain project activities to address new and immediate needs and protect previous development gains. Canada’s development partners in Ukraine pivoted project activities to respond to the evolving context in various ways such as providing emergency supplies equipment and services along with support for mental health transportation and accommodation. The beneficiaries scope expected results and geographic location of project activities may have changed from the original description. Project activities include: (1) providing technical support to set up multi-sectoral coordination of SGBV prevention and response in selected municipalities; (2) supporting the establishment of SGBV specialised services; (3) supporting the development of national standards for specialised SGBV service provision; and (4) developing a national certification programme for continuous learning for SGBV service providers.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased effectiveness and sustainability of an integrated survivor-centred system of SGBV prevention and response in municipalities and amalgamated communities; (2) increased effectiveness of national institutions in the professionalization of SGBV service provision; and (3) increased effectiveness of community-based participatory SGBV prevention programmes.