Ukraine and Norwegian People’s Aid Expand Support for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Vulnerable Communities

Ukraine is strengthening support systems for survivors of gender-based violence, expanding specialized services in communities, and improving coordination of social protection and humanitarian response for people affected by russia’s war.

These priorities are at the center of the enhanced cooperation between the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties.

The partnership focuses on improving coordination mechanisms to respond to gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, strengthening professional capacity for frontline specialists, supporting the development of specialized community services, and improving humanitarian coordination and case management support for survivors.

Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine has significantly increased risks of violence, displacement, trauma, and exploitation, especially for women, children, internally displaced persons, elderly people, and persons with disabilities. In this context, protecting survivors of gender-based violence is a matter of human rights, justice, and national resilience, as well as a social policy priority.

Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine Denys Uliutin emphasized that Ukraine is currently transforming its social protection system to ensure long-term recovery and resilience.

“Our goal is to move from fragmented and passive assistance toward integrated, needs-based support that helps people restore stability, dignity, and independence. This requires strong partnerships, effective local services, and sustainable solutions that support people throughout every stage of recovery,” the Minister stated.

The Ministry also highlighted the importance of ensuring continuity between humanitarian response and long-term recovery through integrated support mechanisms, including psychosocial support, employment assistance, housing solutions, and community-based services.

Norwegian People’s Aid remains one of Ukraine’s important international partners in supporting communities affected by the war and strengthening local capacity to provide assistance where it is needed most.

The Memorandum establishes a framework for strategic cooperation between the parties until the end of 2027.

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