Ukraine – Women, Defence and Security

Seminar: Ukraine – Women, Defence and Security

A seminar will take place on Wednesday, 12 November at 12:00 in Veröld – House of Vigdís, where Professor Jón Ólafsson, professor at the University of Iceland and an expert on Russia and Ukraine, and Magnea Marinósdóttir, political scientist and gender equality specialist, will join Dr Kateryna Levchenko to discuss the state of gender equality and security in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022. Dr Levchenko will also present her new book, Ukraine is Not Silent: Chronicles of Fighting Against War-Related Sexual Violence (2022–2024).

Dr Kateryna Levchenko serves as Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy of Ukraine and is the National Coordinator for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. She chairs the inter-agency working group combating sexual violence related to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and oversees initiatives aimed at ensuring reparations and justice for survivors.

The book includes 25 interviews with Ukrainian and international experts on how to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and what roles international institutions, civil society organisations, and other actors should play. It also highlights approaches to advancing justice and healing for survivors of gender-based violence in war and explores how the experience from Ukraine can serve as an example elsewhere.

The seminar is organised by the Ukraine Centre at the University of Iceland and the Icelandic chapter of the Nordic Women Mediators Network.

The event will be held in English and is open to all.