The project "Safe Gender-Sensitive Spaces for Women and Girls in Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast"

The project "Safe Gender-Sensitive Spaces for Women and Girls in Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast" was implemented by the public organization "Green Landiya" in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and with financial support from USAID.

    ok, tick, check, accept

    Completed

    2023-2024

    Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast

Illustration

Project Objective

To create a safe environment for women and girls affected by military aggression, provide them with psychological and legal support, raise awareness about combating gender-based violence, and create opportunities for personal development and recovery.

As part of the project, one space was created in Kharkiv and six additional spaces were established in the most affected communities of Kharkiv oblast: the villages of Khroli, Kochetok, Staryi Merchyk, Tsyrkuny, Ternova, and the town of Liubotyn. These spaces were specifically opened in rural and remote settlements where access to social, psychological, and legal assistance is often limited due to the lack of necessary infrastructure.

The spaces are equipped with everything needed for comfortable stays and support. They include facilities for training sessions, cozy rooms for socializing over a cup of tea, children's playrooms, separate rooms for consultations with psychologists, as well as materials for art therapy, group activities, and training. Additionally, these spaces serve as resources for providing help to those in need.

These spaces have become not only places for support, but also centers of social life for the communities. They help women and girls find like-minded individuals, feel safe, access vital information, and expand their knowledge and skills.

  • Project Importance 

    ● Military aggression has brought significant problems to women and girls, including loss of security, psychological trauma, social isolation, and economic instability.
    ● This project contributes to the restoration of mental and physical health, improvement of emotional state and establishment of social ties, which all together return women to normal life. The organization of therapeutic consultations, recreational activities and information sessions provides an opportunity to relieve stress, increase self-esteem, and strengthen self-confidence.
    ● We pay special attention to the restoration of the psychological state of women and raising awareness of the prevention and counteraction to gender-based violence and violence caused by military aggression. The project improves social cohesion by helping women and girls restore ties in communities, as well as feel supported and protected in difficult life situations.
    ● Spaces of support for women and girls are created specifically in rural and remote communities, where access to services is often limited due to a lack of infrastructure, professionals and resources. In these regions, women often face difficulties in finding qualified psychological, legal or social assistance, which increases their vulnerability to challenges related to military aggression, economic instability and social isolation.
    ● Thanks to our Spaces, women are able to get help from qualified specialists, participate in therapeutic activities, receive consultations on important life issues, raise awareness about GBV (gender-based violence), and access humanitarian assistance. Our Spaces not only provide services, but also create an environment where women can feel safe, find like-minded people and gradually rebuild their lives. 

  • Project objectives

    ● Psychological support: Organization of individual and group consultations, therapeutic sessions, workshops on art therapy, ecotherapy and other techniques for restoring emotional well-being.
    ● Legal assistance: Consultations on legal issues, exclusively with the provision of legal protection for women who have experienced violence or other challenges.
    ● Recreational activities: Conducting activities aimed at increasing self-esteem, relieving stress and strengthening mental well-being.
    ● Educational sessions: Informing women and girls on health, safety, financial literacy, career development and entrepreneurship, etc.
    ● Counteraction to gender-based violence: Conducting activities aimed at preventing violence, raising awareness of women's rights and protection mechanisms.
    ● Social cohesion: Promoting the integration of women into society, strengthening the community through active participation in community life. 

  • Project Outcomes 

    The project has already achieved significant outcomes:
    ● Over 10,000 women affected by the war have been supported.
    ● Humanitarian aid has been distributed, including hygiene kits for women and girls and supplies for people with disabilities.
    ● Over 2,500 psychological and over 1,000 legal consultations have been conducted.
    ● Over 2,000 recreational activities and information sessions have been organized, which contributed to raising awareness and improving the psychological state of the participants.
    ● The level of mental well-being among women has increased; now they are ready for new opportunities in the field of career, leadership and entrepreneurship. 

Project partner

Illustration