Istanbul Convention in Ukraine: Council of Europe highlights progress and challenges in tackling violence against women

05.09.2026, 16:36 rubryka.com

The experts stressed that Ukraine continues to implement the provisions of the Istanbul Convention even amid the full-scale war. They described its ratification and the launch of its implementation as evidence of the Ukrainian authorities' political will.

How the war affects the protection of women

According to GREVIO, Russia's aggression has made women more vulnerable to gender-based violence. The support system is affected by:

At the same time, the experts highlighted a number of changes that have taken place in Ukraine. These include:

GREVIO also positively assessed the state's efforts to address gender inequality as well as cooperation between government bodies and organizations working to protect women's rights.

Ukraine is also expanding its network of support services for survivors, including:

"In addition to these services, around 700 mobile multidisciplinary teams provide direct social and psychological support to women affected by domestic violence, particularly in rural areas," the experts note.

The report also highlights the establishment of a National Training Center on Gender-Based Violence.

Support for survivors and the work of law enforcement

GREVIO also highlighted the training of Ukrainian police officers, prosecutors, and forensic experts. With support from international partners, they are receiving extensive training on investigating conflict-related sexual violence.

The experts positively assessed measures aimed at taking into account the needs and safety of survivors during criminal proceedings. These include efforts to avoid repeated questioning and provide psychological support.

GREVIO also noted the introduction of channels for reporting sexual harassment and other forms of violence in the military. The report notes that around 70,000 women serve in the Ukrainian military, making their protection from all forms of violence a matter requiring particular attention.

At the same time, the experts drew attention to reports of severe cases of domestic violence involving military personnel. According to GREVIO, survivors may face difficulties when trying to report such cases.

While positively assessing psychological support for military personnel before they return to their families and preparation for civilian life, the experts stressed that these measures need to be continued and expanded.

What GREVIO recommends changing

GREVIO calls on Ukraine to ensure the Istanbul Convention is implemented consistently throughout the country. At the same time, measures to combat violence should cover all forms of violence against women addressed by the Convention, rather than focusing solely on domestic violence.

The experts see a particular problem in the justice system. In their view, punishments for violence are often not sufficiently severe.

"GREVIO notes that the penalties imposed for different forms of violence are generally lenient and often limited to fines and community service," the document says.

The experts call for penalties that are effective, proportionate, and have a deterrent effect. Where appropriate, they consider imprisonment necessary.

Another area of concern identified by GREVIO is the protection of children who witness or are affected by domestic violence. Their presence during such incidents is not always documented, while opportunities for them to receive psychological support remain insufficient.