Yuliia Lykhach, Director of the High School of Public Governance, took part in a webinar organised by the Dr Denis Mukwege Foundation, dedicated to the launch of a digital course on a comprehensive response to conflict-related sexual violence, as well as a practical guide on a survivor-centred approach.
The event brought together experts, practitioners and representatives of organisations and institutions working in the field of preventing and responding to sexual violence. The discussion centred on tools to help integrate survivor-centred approaches into the practical work of specialists and institutions.
During the webinar, the digital course “Comprehensive Survivor-Centred Responses to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” was presented. The course was developed by the Mukwege Foundation in collaboration with international partners and with the participation of SEMA Ukraine, a network of survivors, which made it possible to take into account the experiences and needs of people who have survived conflict-related sexual violence.
Participants paid particular attention to the practical guide on the survivor-centred approach. It is designed to help professionals, policymakers, organisations and institutions not only understand the relevant principles, but also apply them consistently in their practical work.
In her address, Yuliia Lykhach emphasised the importance of professional training for specialists involved in preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence.
“The issue of preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence requires not only professional knowledge, but also coordinated cooperation between all actors involved in supporting survivors. That is why the High School of Public Governance is systematically working to build the capacity of civil servants and local government officials in this area, establishing a pool of trainers and developing training programmes on inter-agency cooperation. We are grateful to the Mukwege Foundation for developing and providing the online course, which has become an important resource for training specialists and expanding access to high-quality educational content,” noted the Director of the High School of Public Governance.
Practical experience in this area has already yielded measurable results. In 2025, around 900 people involved in the system for preventing and combating sexual and gender-based violence completed training. In partnership with the Mukwege Foundation, a training programme was organised for trainers at support centres for survivors and representatives of the National Social Service of Ukraine, as well as a separate training programme for representatives of the regional departments of the National Social Service.
Work continued in 2026: to date, 150 civil servants and local government officials have already completed training on sexual and gender-based violence.
Going forward, the High School of Public Governance plans to expand training opportunities, refine educational programmes and strengthen cooperation with national and international partners in order to enhance Ukraine’s institutional capacity in preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence.
