European Forum on the Rights of the Child: Ministry of Social Policy on Ukraine’s Challenges and Steps

The 15th European Forum on the Rights of the Child took place in Brussels on the topic "Protecting Children’s Rights: Building Fair and Resilient Societies for the Present and Future of the EU." The forum aimed to assess progress in implementing the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, identify existing challenges, and establish new priorities in the context of social resilience, intergenerational equality, and safeguarding children’s rights both within and beyond the EU.

Participants included ombudspersons for children’s rights, government representatives, members of the European Parliament, international organizations, civil society, as well as children and youth from all EU member states. The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine was represented by Deputy Minister for European Integration, Iryna Postolovska.

"Russia’s full-scale invasion has affected every child in Ukraine. One of the most severe consequences has been the increased risks faced by children—both due to the breakdown of family ties and the heightened danger of abuse during forced migration. Our priority is to ensure every child’s right to grow up in a safe family environment. We are implementing a systemic reform for better care, expanding access to community-based services, supporting families to prevent child institutionalization, and developing Resilience Centers where families can receive psychological support.

We also closely collaborate with the Office for Children and Youth ‘DIYMO’ under the Ministry of Social Policy, established to ensure systematic participation of children and youth in shaping state policy. Its unique feature is that it includes teenagers and young people with experience living in institutional care, enabling the creation of policies that truly reflect children’s needs. Despite the war, we are building a resilient system that preserves what matters most: a safe childhood," said Iryna Postolovska in her speech.

The Council of Europe’s Strategy on the Rights of the Child outlines six key areas of action aimed at protecting, supporting, and involving children in all spheres of life. In turn, the Strategy for Ensuring Every Child’s Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment, developed by the Ministry of Social Policy, largely aligns with the priorities of the European Union. Its implementation at the national, regional, and community levels will achieve one of the key objectives—ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow up in a family setting, considering their individual needs. This confirms Ukraine’s commitment to European values and the steadfastness of its European integration course.

Iryna Postolovska emphasized that the war has only heightened the urgency of reforming the childcare system. Ukraine is facing unprecedented challenges in protecting children’s rights, and it is through partnerships with international organizations that the country is adopting global best practices to effectively address these challenges. The global response to violations of children’s rights lies in uniting the efforts of governments, international organizations, civil society, and children themselves.

At the 15th European Forum on the Rights of the Child, participants reaffirmed their shared political will to take action toward building fairer and more resilient societies for children, both within the EU and beyond.