As the Russian invasion erodes the security of Ukrainians across the country, the risk to women and girls is twofold. “Certainly no one feels safe because of Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Kit said, “And women and girls have even less protection from gender-based violence. Rape—often gang rape—sexual torture, forced nudity, and other forms of abuse has been documented by journalists, human rights groups and law enforcement.”
Ms Kit added that the true scale of this violence is still unknown, but what is clear is that its effects will last: “We will have to deal with the consequences of sexual violence related to sexual violence. for many years to come.”
At the same time, women are still facing widespread violence in their own societies. “Instances of domestic or sexual violence against women, especially in public places, have not gone away,” she notes. “Those who have experienced abuse and domestic violence continue to commit acts of violence.”
“It is difficult to move forward in the fight against violence against women when you are living in a state of war and fighting for your life and the lives of your children every day,” said Kit. “
Close the gap
Starting her legal career in 2007, Ms. Kit noticed a serious gap in legal support for survivors of domestic violence. “Not many attorneys are willing to work with cases like that, because these are often potential criminals,” she said. Domestic violence is often seen as a private matter and the legal system tends to shift the responsibility of dealing with such cases to the victims themselves.
Ms. Kit set out to change this. “I want myself and other women and girls in Ukraine to feel safe and know that if their rights are violated, they will [will] receive effective protection, without prejudice, discrimination or stigma,” she said.
In 2017, she took an important step towards this goal with the founding of JurFem. The organization’s recent work is shaped by the ongoing crisis: working with partners to ensure survivors of conflict-related sexual violence receive protection and support from law enforcement agencies and service providers. They have also directly provided legal assistance to survivors, launching a legal aid hotline in April.
“Our approach to investigating cases of sexual violence can only be changed through experience and practice,” said Ms. Even the strongest legal defenses cannot convince the police or the judge to believe in a survivor. But by liaising with law enforcement and the courts, “JurFem attorneys are able to break existing stereotypes and ensure access to justice for victims.”
While her own advocacy work relies on her legal training and decades of experience, Ms. Kit stresses that you don’t need special skills or knowledge to get involved. one purpose: “Each of us should work to change something for the better.”
What activism requires is community and care, she says: “unity, enlist the support of like-minded people and forces,” she advises. “Take care of your safety and mental health and do what you feel is right, taking care of yourself so you can take care of others.”
© UNICEF/Ashley Gilbertson
Never repeat
“Today, it is difficult to imagine a world without gender-based violence,” says Kit. “After all, if we can’t stop this war, can we eliminate gender-based violence?”
She believes we can reduce its prevalence by creating better response mechanisms and bringing perpetrators to justice. And she believes in a better future for Ukrainian women and girls: “Justice must be restored,” she said, “so this never happens again.”
