- May 2024
In Ukraine, a new wave of digital services has emerged to assist displaced populations vulnerable to conflict-related and domestic violence. This article considers the strengths and weaknesses of these innovative platforms.
As the war in Ukraine continues, gender-based violence (GBV) has become a major concern, especially for women facing displacement. Conflict-related sexual violence, domestic violence and human trafficking have become more prominent in a context where women make up the majority of the displaced population.[1]
Gender-based violence was already a prevalent issue in Ukraine, and its risks have escalated since the start of the war. In the first half of 2023, the National Social Services reported an almost twofold surge in services provided to GBV survivors. Concerns about trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse have grown, especially at border crossings and in refugee accommodation. An estimated 2.5 million people (83% being women and girls) are expected to need GBV-related services in 2024.
The fast-growing demand puts a significant strain on the country’s protection and specialised GBV services. Although Ukraine’s GBV prevention and response system has made significant progress in the past decade, specialised services still encounter multiple challenges. Many people living in rural areas still lack access to services for survivors of gender-based violence. In 2023, 27% of households in the East region, which has been heavily impacted by combat actions and displacement, reported that there were no services for survivors of GBV.
Access to specialised GBV services is complicated by understaffing, particularly in key positions such as psychologists, social workers and legal staff. Additionally, in territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, millions of Ukrainians struggle to access protection services and lifesaving supplies.
Challenges also arise at the individual level. Violence against women and girls remains significantly under-reported due to stigma, gender stereotypes and a culture of silence. Many GBV survivors tend to avoid reporting, fearing disclosure of their anonymity and further repercussions from the perpetrators.
Approaches and digital solutions
Digital service delivery has already been widely used to process Ukrainians fleeing the conflict. The most prominent example is the Diia smartphone app, which has over 19 million users as of 2023 (used by 70% of all Ukrainians with smartphones) and is a digital tool for electronic versions of more than 117 official Ukrainian government documents with the same legal status as physical copies.
Initially created to make public services more accessible and enable the government to reach its citizens in remote areas and those with disabilities, the platform has also proven helpful for displaced and vulnerable populations without physical copies of important documents. The digital infrastructure in the region has played a critical role in mitigating the challenges displaced Ukrainians face, with digital tools integrated at every stage of the assistance process, including protection services.
UNFPA has assisted the Ukrainian government in building up the system of specialised GBV services for more than two decades. Since the start of the war, UNFPA has worked with the Ukrainian government to develop digital solutions to fortify the existing system of specialised GBV services. Each of the tools complements the system in a unique way by a) equipping GBV survivors with timely information about GBV services tailored to their needs and mobility, b) providing anonymous emergency psychological help in and temporality out of government-controlled territories, and c) ensuring confidential contact with the National Police and emergency services in cases where there is an immediate threat of violence.
Aurora
The Aurora website serves as a lifesaving tool, granting survivors of conflict-related violence, including sexual violence, access to safe, free and anonymous services irrespective of location (whether within Ukraine, abroad, or in areas temporarily beyond the government’s control). Its primary objective is to offer specialised professional psychotherapy support to survivors using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy as well as trauma-informed CBT, a highly effective tool for dealing with traumatic cases. The platform also offers online or telephone consultations with reproductive health, legal and protection specialists. Aurora is effectively integrated into the overall response system by collaborating with similar networks like survivors’ relief centres and rehabilitation programmes. Additionally, the platform facilitates referrals to and from other services. Users can remain anonymous if they prefer not to disclose their identity.
After applying to Aurora, a survivor can be assisted by a coordinator who works based on the requests and consent of survivors. The coordinator is positioned to conduct needs assessments and may provide additional counselling as needed. Once these processes are completed, referrals can be made to help the survivor navigate available services, avoid re-traumatisation, and enhance the effectiveness of the aid provided. Notably, Aurora welcomes survivors from various backgrounds, although most users are women, representing over 90% of the total. The majority of users fall within the age range of 18-39. As of November 2023, 82% of Aurora’s users reported that they experienced sexual violence, including conflict-related sexual violence. Almost a quarter of users are using the service from abroad. Most of the requests from within the country come from highly populated areas with a large concentration of internally displaced persons – including Kyiv, Odesa and Mykolaiv.[1]
Survivors Relief Platform
The Survivor Relief Platform is the first online platform in Ukraine that provides verified and comprehensive information about specialised and lifesaving services for those affected by the war and displacement. This platform helps citizens on the move quickly connect with the required services to get free and confidential social, legal, humanitarian and psychological support through chatbots, hotlines, and offline and online consultations from verified providers.
The platform aims to create a trusting environment between the affected individuals and service providers, while comprehensive professional support is the first step towards achieving justice. After receiving assistance, survivors may be willing to approach law enforcement agencies to document cases of sexual violence used by occupiers as a weapon against the civilian population and hold wrongdoers accountable in the future. It is designed not only for the affected individuals but also for social protection professionals. The platform enables social workers to reach a significantly wider range of people affected by war and displacement with social support.
This tool complements other similar initiatives, such as Aurora and in-person survivors relief centres. There are plans to add features on job search, economic empowerment and children’s education.
Kryla (‘Wings’)
Kryla is a mobile application designed to help women who experience gender-based violence, regardless of their location within government-controlled territories. It provides emergency help and support to these women, even when they are on the move.
This application is designed as a menstruation calendar with a hidden feature that allows users to call the National Police of Ukraine and access information about emergency services. To do this, users must register for the service and enable geolocation. The application is designed in such a way that it is completely inconspicuous to the abuser, allowing women to install the app on their smartphones without fear. The open part of the application tracks the menstrual cycle and predicts ovulation. They hold down the wings symbol for three seconds to access the hidden feature, which includes a button to call the police, useful information and contacts for other support services. The app’s name is not disclosed for the users’ safety. It can be downloaded from both Google Play and the App Store.
The application facilitates assistance for women who cannot call the police due to speaking, hearing or other impairments; an abuser’s total control over their personal lives; a lack of funds to make calls; or similar obstacles. The main advantages of the application are direct communication with the police through the SOS button and automatic location detection of GBV survivors through geolocation.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the UNFPA disseminate information about the application among women who need it through the survivors relief centres, host community leaders and influencers. Since its launch in August 2022, the application has been downloaded by over 34,000 users and has a high customer ranking (4.6 out of 5) in the App Store.
Successes
User uptake
The digital tools described above have been successful in terms of user uptake and have increased the institutional capacity of the state system for specialised GBV services.
Integration with existing services
These solutions were integrated into the existing state system for GBV response as an extension of existing services. The speed with which these online services were introduced and their complementarity with the existing physical infrastructure, such as shelters, day centres, crisis rooms and hotlines, has helped people on the move to get comprehensive information and assistance whenever they needed it, even those who are staying in territories temporarily out of government control.
Public awareness
These tools were effectively integrated into the nationwide information platform ‘Break the Circle,’ which has gained sufficient reach among the wider public over the last few years and ensured government support and promotion.
Challenges
There are a few factors that might limit the effectiveness of these tools.
Connectivity
Poor internet and mobile connections may hinder the provision of services, and applying for them may pose potential risks to survivors, especially in areas beyond the control of the Ukrainian government. Additionally, a lack of digital devices and digital literacy can be a barrier to using the tools, especially among older members of the population.
Under-reporting
Survivors may not report violence to officials in a timely manner. In many cases, survivors first seek assistance from civil society organisations to receive humanitarian aid, medical services, and essential legal aid services to restore their documents and obtain social benefits and entitlements. Many survivors only disclose their experiences after a lengthy period and once they have received psycho-social support and feel safe.
Inability to advertise
Digital solutions with hidden reporting functions cannot be openly promoted through media channels. Therefore, more sophisticated promotion strategies are necessary for women to feel secure having them on their phones.
Conclusions and ways forward
The digital tools discussed in the article collectively illustrate the potential of technology in advancing GBV protection efforts. The use of these tools in Ukraine during one of the largest displacement crises in Europe could serve as a test case for a range of GBV service provision solutions. These tools have the potential to be replicated in other regions and contexts with a sufficient level of technology and mobile services development.
To ensure that technology can be used effectively to address gender-based violence, especially in conditions of military conflict and displacement, the following steps should be taken.
Safety and privacy concerns
Any solution must prioritise the safety and privacy of survivors. Any data collected must be anonymised so that no one has access to sensitive or identifiable information. It is also important to carefully consider data storage, ownership and management. Any technological solution should include a mechanism to connect survivors with trained professionals to maximise their safety and consider issues of the quality and accessibility of the internet connection. Displaced women should be co-creators of any solution to ensure the best possible outcome.
Modular and adaptable solutions
When developing solutions, it is important to consider open-source and modular approaches that can be customised according to the specific needs of a particular context. This provides flexibility to adapt as needed. It is also important to map and assess the capacity of local partners, which can help identify appropriate services and reveal areas that need support in enhancing their ability to better respond to gender-based violence.
Ensure inclusivity
It is crucial to consider the age and background of users and their level of digital literacy when introducing digital solutions. The use of digital tools could deepen the digital divide if access is not considered upfront. Inclusive solutions that refer to the needs of people with impairments and limited knowledge of technology should be considered.
Lala Zinkevych
Gender Policy and GBV Prevention Adviser, UNFPA Ukraine
linkedin.com/in/lala-zinkevych/
Article contributors:
Kostiantyn Boichuk, GBV Programme Analyst
Olga Chuyeva, UNFPA CRSV Response Specialist
Oleskandr Dashutin, CRSV Programme Assistant
Nina Bagayeva, Communications Specialist
UNFPA Ukraine