During 2021-2022, the REAct system registered 4,538 cases of violation of the rights of representatives of key communities, of which 1,947 cases (43%) were complaints from women. The most applications came from women living with HIV (703 cases), OST patients (419 cases), and women who use inject drugs (319 cases).
The start of a full-scale war in Ukraine, which has already been going on for 9 months, has led to an economic and humanitarian crisis. More than 4.7 million people became refugees and forcibly left abroad (ed. – data collected by UNHCR), and 7.1 million people became forcibly internally displaced persons (ed. – according to the latest study of the International Organization for Migration), leaving for safer regions of Ukraine.
The war greatly exacerbated existing patterns of discrimination and stigmatization of women from key communities. Domestic violence, limited access to medical and human rights services, and refusal to receive social assistance, such as placement in shelters, are all frequent violations that Ukrainian women have to face today.
During the war, a new type of violator appeared – occupiers. The soldiers of the russian federation conduct their war tactics against residential areas and the civilian population. They violate almost all laws and customs of warfare.
During the war, the system recorded 2,400 appeals regarding the violation of the rights of key communities in Ukraine, almost a third of them related to Russia’s full-scale invasion of the territory of Ukraine.
The REAct system has registered more than 80 cases of violations of the rights of key communities directly by the occupiers, and 24 of them were committed against women from key communities. Among the key violations registered by REAct: are deprivation of housing, eviction, destruction of personal property, bodily harm, physical assault, and sexual violence.
Below is one of the documented stories of women who were victims of crimes by the occupiers.
The REActor was contacted by Oksana (ed. – name changed for security reasons), who was a victim of sexual and physical violence by russian soldiers. She was abused and raped for two weeks. She no longer expected to stay alive, because her city was under occupation and there was no hope of rescue.
When the woman was first taken away by russian soldiers, she decided to scare them. Oksana told the rapists that she has HIV and has been using drugs for 25 years, which is why she has many diseases. After the soldiers heard this, they became even more enraged and beat the client severely, stressing that people like her should die in agony.
When the city was liberated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oksana was evacuated and on the same day, she turned to REAct for help. The paralegal helped write and submit a statement to the police to initiate criminal proceedings based on information about rape. The woman was referred to a friendly psychologist, where she is currently receiving the necessary psychological help and undergoing rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, there are currently many such stories. About some of them, we will hardly even be able to find out. However, one should protect one’s rights and defend one’s dignity even in such difficult times. We believe that the woman from this story will be happy, and the villains will be punished.
The REAct system continues to record cases of violations of the rights of key communities, and REActors in 17 regions of Ukraine bravely continue their work under constant fire.
We remind you that you can report a violation of your rights and receive free and confidential assistance from REAct with the help of chatbots:
You can also leave your message by filling out the form on the REAct website. Describe the details of the situation that happened to you, how and when your rights were violated, and the REActor will contact you as soon as possible.
