Since Russia’s initial aggression against Ukraine in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in 2022, conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) has significantly escalated, becoming a critical international concern.

In connection with CSW69, this event brought together experts and survivors to share insights into resilience, innovative response strategies, and pursuing justice amid ongoing conflict.

Key Takeaways:

• Justice must be survivor-centered. SEMA Ukraine is leading efforts to place Russia on the UN’s list of shame for its use of CRSV.
• National response systems matter. Ukraine is actively strengthening legal and support frameworks for survivors.
• CRSV is global. From Ukraine to Myanmar, sexual violence remains a tool of oppression in conflicts worldwide.
• The international community must do more. Experts emphasized critical gaps in global accountability mechanisms.

This discussion reinforced an urgent message: CRSV must be confronted with feminist advocacy and unwavering legal action. Justice cannot be an afterthought—it must be embedded in legal frameworks before, during, and after conflict.

Our Speakers:

• Alisa Kovalenko, Director at SEMA Ukraine, introduced the survivor-led initiative to hold Russia accountable for CRSV.
• Alix Vuillemin, Executive Director of Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, spoke on the gendered nature of CRSV.
• Khrystyna Kit, Chairwoman of JurFem, provided up-to-date statistics and insights into Ukraine’s national response mechanisms.
• Natalia Karbowska, Director of Strategic Development at the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, highlighted the importance of local survivor support.
• Naw Hser Hser, Karen Women’s Organization, spoke on Myanmar’s context and the systematic use of CRSV.
• Sabine Freizer-Gunes, UN Women Ukraine, outlined UN Women’s initiatives responding to CRSV in Ukraine.
• Erin Rosenberg, New Lines Institute & Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation, addressed the resilience of the international community in countering CRSV.

CRSV is not an inevitable consequence of war—it is a strategy rooted in patriarchal oppression. To dismantle it, we must challenge gender inequality at every level, from legal frameworks to survivor support systems. Our work does not end at CSW69. We continue advocating for feminist legal reforms, intersectional justice, and survivor-centered accountability mechanisms.

 This event was funded by the UK Government, provided through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office within the framework of the project “Women. Peace. Security: Acting Together”, implemented by the Ukrainian Women’s Fund. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK Government’s, the Ukrainian Women’s Fund and the Government Commissioner’s on Gender Policy of Ukraine official policies. This event was also made possible with support from the Global Initiative Against Impunity, co-funded by the European Union.