As part of the worldwide campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence”, President’s wife Olena Zelenska participated in the opening of an exhibition dedicated to Ukrainians who became victims of violence but managed to break the vicious circle.
The exposition presented in the Cabinet of Ministers includes true stories of those who suffered from violence but managed to stop it with the assistance of the state. 10 stories of people who chose not to endure and keep silent, but to counteract. These stories are a kind of presentation of the work of such services and legislative innovations as shelters for victims of violence, emergency medical assistance centers within clinics for women and hospitals, mobile police teams responding to cases of domestic violence "Polina" (police against violence), national helpline for prevention of domestic violence, day-time crisis centers, free secondary legal aid centers, urgent restraining order.
The following life examples demonstrate the importance of developing prevention and eradication of violence against women and girls, and show how many steps still need to be taken.
“Violence against women is one of the most widespread human rights abuses in the world. Unfortunately, Ukraine is no exception: according to statistics, every fifth female Ukrainian suffers from psychological or physical violence. Developing services for victims and combating violence in Ukraine is still ongoing, but these stories are the first success to be shared. First of all, for female Ukrainians to know that these services exist and help is available,” Olena Zelenska said.
The President's wife stressed the importance of further increasing the number of shelters for victims of violence, as, according to the standards, there should be one place for 10 thousand people living in the cities, as well as mobile police groups "Polina", of which there is a critical shortage now.
The First Lady also considers a priority the creation of a national-level call center, in which the victims will be provided with all the necessary information in the near future.
"Such a service is essential, because it will give you the opportunity not only to know your rights and their protection, but also to get qualified help quickly and in time," Olena Zelenska said.