The workshop, organized by the Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) and the NGO "La Strada-Ukraine", brought together experts and representatives of civil society from Ukraine and Georgia to share experiences on countering gender-based violence during an armed conflict, in particular in the aspect of implementing the provisions of the Istanbul Convention in conditions of war and occupation.

The concepts of gender, violence, gender-based violence, femicide that befall women in the occupied territories, and other threats of violence that the war brings to Georgia and Ukraine have a related relevance. Representatives of the political and public circles of both countries noted the commonality of views on the issue of the position of women in the conditions of war, occupation, and many years of work in the fight against the consequences of violence for women.

Teona Akubardia, a member of the Parliament of Georgia, spoke, in particular, about constant meetings with women in the occupied territories of Georgia, about the problems of forming definitions at the level of the legislative framework.

The director of the project "Let's end violence against women", the branch of UN Women in Georgia - Iryna Japaridze informed about the recent absence of the term "woman" in legal discussions of domestic violence, the standardization of each individual case and measures to prevent possible victims.

Olena Kochemirovska, an expert of the UN Foundation in the field of population in Ukraine, spoke about the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, the formation of zero tolerance for violent acts, funds, centers with crisis rooms, primary and long-term assistance.

During the event, it was emphasized the importance of supporting the careers of women who have experienced violence, the creation of a "hotline" in Georgia, which is also called by our compatriots, as well as a "hotline" for men who have experienced violence in Ukraine. The experts pointed to the existence of a common enemy and kinship in overcoming threats on the way to the ratification of the
Istanbul Convention and peace building.

The event was organized within the framework of the project "Combating gender-based violence across borders: exchange of best practices between Georgia and Ukraine" with the support of the Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) in cooperation with the NGO "La Strada-Ukraine".https://univd.edu.ua/uk/news/14463