The GIDNA project is evolving and gaining trust and more recognition in the media field. We continue to conduct advocacy activities in support of the mental health of Ukrainian women during the war and educate society about psychotherapy as a need for everyone who suffered from the consequences of russian military aggression.
We are in continuous search of new opportunities to provide free psychological help for women who survived the conflict-related sexual violence from the russian occupiers and those women who experienced an unspecified loss.
- SolutionsHub: preventing sexual violence
On September 27, Veronika Denio, a therapist at the GIDNA project, participated in an online event along with women from the fields of law, psychology and military personnel. The participants discussed how to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and where to apply for help for survivors.
Veronika spoke about the importance of providing psychological assistance to women who survived the CRSV and presented the GIDNA project.
- Meeting with the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine
The foundation's team participated in the inaugural meeting of the Expert Council on Equal Rights, Prevention of Discrimination, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking.
The FFU delegation has been warmly welcomed by the Office of the Ombudsman and treats the Future for Ukraine as a reliable partner in the field of psychological help to CRSV survivors. At the meeting, we presented a new direction of GIDNA — psychological assistance to men who survived conflict-related sexual violence.
"This is a new challenge for our team — we have been preparing, studying, and ready to start working with men. We have funding and relevant skills and knowledge for this," comments Anna Hrubaia, Head of projects and programs of Women's Aid direction.
- "Women who are changing Ukraine". Forum discussion from the NGO New Ukrainian Narratives
The FFU team participated in the forum attended by the proactive women who, despite the consequences of the war, managed to start life over, face the crisis, create a business, and inspire others. The story of women who have gone through this difficult path could be an example for others to change their lives.
At the forum, they talked about the importance of taking care of mental health, and about the strength of IDP women who, despite the challenges of the war, move on, rebuilding their lives.
- Interview with French journalist Audrey Lebel
International mass media undoubtedly have a great interest in the events in Ukraine. For example, French journalist Audrey Lebel explores the war consequences in Ukraine, and currently, the focus of the work is on the topic of conflict-related sexual violence. She investigates whether the wave of physical violence increased during the Russian-Ukrainian war, whether women and men became more aggressive, the effects of PTSD, and other severe psychological effects of the war.
Anna Hrubaia and Audrey Lebel talked about the stigmatization of the CRSV topic in society, and about how difficult it is for women to dare to seek therapy. Also, they spoke about the aggression that is growing in society and about the traumatic consequences awaiting us after the end of the war.
At the GIDNA project, we talk about the topic of sexual violence openly to motivate the women survivors not to remain silent but to seek help.
- Interview for Suspilne Novyny
Marharyta Manzhos, a participant in the psychological assistance program from GIDNA, who awaited for her beloved from russian captivity for more than 2.5 years, shared her story with the media. Marharyta spoke about how therapy gave her motivation and support.
Anna Hrubaia, who curates the GIDNA project, and the president of the FFU in the USA, Olena Nikolaienko, talked about the GIDNA project and the opportunity for Ukrainian women to get free psychological help.
- Article for ELLE "Recognize and stop: what types of manipulation and actions are considered violence"
In early October, ELLE Ukraine released an article about the types of violence and its "red flags". Anna Hrubaia told the media what actions and manipulations violate a woman's boundaries, why it is important to stop it, and where to apply for help.
If you or your loved ones survived sexual violence during the war, or are waiting for news from relatives from the front, we will support you!
GIDNA provided free qualified psychological help for survivors and witnesses of the CRSV in Ukraine, as well as for women whose relatives went missing during the hostilities or were captured as war prisoners. To apply for help, please call +38 (050) 909-88-81 or fill out an application on the website gidna.org.
