In support of the ‘16 Days Against Violence’ campaign, which started on 25 November, the High School of Public Governancef, together with the National Social Service of Ukraine and the National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service Administration, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), organised training for social workers and local government officials. The event lasted from 25 to 27 November and was held under the programme ‘Organisation of activities of mobile teams of social and psychological assistance to victims of domestic and/or gender-based violence’. The training was attended by representatives from Vinnytsia, Sumy, Khmelnytsky and Chernivtsi regions.

The main goal of the course was to improve the skills of professionals working with victims of violence. The participants were provided with in-depth knowledge of the scope of gender-based violence, its types and consequences. Considerable attention was paid to international standards and national mechanisms for combating this phenomenon, which allows for an effective response system at all levels.

Particular emphasis was placed on the practical aspects of organising the activities of mobile teams. Participants learned how to coordinate interagency cooperation at the local level, which is key to the smooth operation of specialised services. The programme also included training in psycho-emotional training, the basics of social counselling and methods of preventing professional burnout. This knowledge will help support the resilience and effectiveness of social workers.

The competencies acquired during the course will significantly increase the ability of participants to respond promptly to cases of violence, provide the necessary assistance to victims and create conditions for their rehabilitation. This will help create safer and more resilient communities where every citizen feels protected and supported. In addition, the new knowledge and skills will help professionals strengthen the local social protection system, develop effective cooperation between institutions and prevent further violence. This approach will not only improve the quality of life of citizens, but will also be an important step in strengthening overall national resilience and social cohesion.