On 8 December 2021, Kyiv, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Ukraine and representatives of the Chernivtsi City Council opened a crisis response room for victims of domestic and/or gender-based violence.

This is the third crisis room opened as part of the Springboard to Equality project. The opening of the Crisis Room was made possible by the Chernivtsi City Council, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Public Health Foundation, the Synergy Community Centre NGO with financial support from Sweden and the assistance of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

In the crisis response room, you can get shelter from abusers for a period of 10 to 20 days, including staying with children, as well as psychological and legal assistance.

Up to 12 people will be able to stay there at a time.

“The Crisis Room will be a lifeline for women and girls seeking refuge from abusers during and after quarantine. These rooms will have improved quality of service and conditions to better meet the needs of women with children, greater security and accessibility. UNFPA acknowledges the enormous efforts of the Chernivtsi City Council and relevant GBV response services to ensure effective cross-sectoral coordination and institutionalise the Crisis Room. Now that the GBV response system in Chernivtsi is set up and functioning smoothly, more attention should be paid to the prevention of GBV,” said Pavlo Zamostian, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine.

In the Crisis Room, women are guaranteed round-the-clock care and, if necessary, given the opportunity to move to a long-term shelter. The Crisis Rooms meet all health and safety standards and have everything you need for a temporary stay.

“Today, a new service has been opened in the city where conditions are created so that people in difficult life circumstances related to abuse can receive protection and assistance. They offer living conditions and practising professionals so that victims of violence can find shelter for a while,” said Yurii Lesiuk, Chernivtsi Deputy Mayor for Executive Affairs of the City Council.

The location of the Crisis Room is not disclosed for security reasons. Violence survivors must contact the police or social services to reach them.

Additional information:

The UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, is a leading UN agency whose operations are focused on gender equality, reproductive health and development of the potential of the youth. We work with partners in 150 countries and territories, including, since 1997, in Ukraine, to promote equality, overcome gender stereotypes, empower women, distribute household responsibilities equally and involve men in raising children. More information about UNFPA and our work in Ukraine: https://ukraine.unfpa.org/  Follow UNFPA on Twitter and Facebook.

“Equality Springboard: Project on Social Norms Change and Gender Stereotypes Elimination for Better Resilience and Prosperity of Women and Men in Ukraine” is a Sweden-funded project aimed at combating gender stereotypes in education, at work, at home and in community life as well as creating a supportive environment and increasing the public demand for advancing equal rights and opportunities for women and men in Ukraine. Learn more about the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdm1eKAVnB4