At the International Ukraine Recovery Conference, in collaboration with partner country governments, international and civil society organizations, and business community representatives, the establishment of the Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery in Ukraine was approved.
The first meeting of the Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery in Ukraine took place on June 27, 2024.
During the meeting, Valeriya Vershynina, the executive director of the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services,” emphasized the need for IDP Council representatives to actively participate in the Alliance’s activities at all levels.
“IDP Councils are a unique tool that ensures the participation of internally displaced persons in local governance and strengthens community cohesion through inclusive engagement in decision-making that directly impacts social protection issues of affected populations, community recovery, and development. Currently, over 1,000 IDP Councils have been established in Ukraine, including those relocated from occupied territories. Since their work is unpaid, most council members are women. They play a crucial role in maintaining focus and finding balance to ensure social protection, rights restoration, and integration of IDPs and other categories affected by the conflict. They are charged with significant efforts to develop proposals for community recovery and development plans, as well as local programs and policies. It is particularly disheartening that no representatives from the IDP Councils were invited to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.
Emphasizing inclusive approaches, it is essential to involve representatives not only from oblast centers and large cities but also from rural communities. The Alliance brings together representatives of government, donor and local organizations, and businesses, and I urged participants to include IDP Councils in their projects and programs aimed at community development and recovery and to involve IDP Councils in analyzing the implementation of community programs and decisions directed at the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security.”
Valeria also announced the upcoming All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils and interregional Forums of IDP Councils, which will take place in Ukraine from August to September 2024.
Participants of the meeting agreed on further steps from URC-2024 to concrete actions to strengthen gender equality in Ukraine.