Accountability, rule of law and raising awareness of the Ukrainian judges on gender-based violence are key for healing of the wounds of Russia’s aggression and the path of Ukraine to the European Union

With the financial support from the Government of Latvia Centre MARTA in cooperation with the National School of Judges of Ukraine held training in Kyiv.

Speech of Ambassador of Latvia to Ukraine Andrejs Pildegovičs in the opening of training programme “on victim needs cantered approach in Justice System. Understanding gender-based violence”:

Dear Ms. Tetiana Fulei,
Dear Ms. Iluta Lace, Dear judges, Dear friends and colleagues!

It is my privilege to be there. First of all, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the victims of the Russian settlement in the village of Yarove in the Donetsk region.

During my first few weeks in Ukraine, I have witnessed determination and courage of Ukrainian people as well as their support to each other. I have also learned a lot about practical ways how Latvia supports Ukraine, including Ukraine’s reform path. The training program I am opening today is just one of examples Latvia’s support. However, it represents values that both Latvia and Ukraine strand for: human rights, justice and democracy.

We gather today not to discuss numbers or statistics of gender-based violence, but to confront a reality that affects lives – often silently, often invisibly, but always profoundly. Whether it takes the form of domestic abuse, sexual assault or systemic discrimination, gender-based violence is rooted in inequality. This training is not only about identifying problems – it is about finding solutions. Let me be clear: gender-based violence is not a women’s issue. It is a human rights issue. It is a public health issue. It is a societal issue that affects us all.

Centre Marta is organization with a long-term presence in Ukraine. Centre Marta activities combines reconstruction, social services and personnel training. With the support of the Government of Latvia Centre Marta has open three women centres in Ukraine that provides rehabilitation services, including to women who are victims of sexual war crimes. The first centre was opened in the Ivano-Frankivsk region in 2022 followed by two centres in the Chernihiv region in 2023.

However, Marta’s work does not end here. With a grant from the Latvian Government Centre Marta will renovate premises for two resilience centres in local communities in Chernihiv region. It is expected that institutionalized platform will be established in these resilience centres that among other things will provide social and psychological assistance, support to survivors of gender-based violence and develop specialized training program to work with perpetrators.

Dear friends, I visited Chernihiv region one week ago and I clearly saw the need for such centres. I sincerely hope that as a result of Centre Marta efforts these centres will be opened by the end of this year.

In the conclusion of my speech, let me assure that Latvia will continue to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity, its right to self-determination, and its path toward European integration. Our support to Ukraine is strategic, comprehensive, and enduring. It ranges from humanitarian aid, assistance in energy sector and reconstruction to military support. It also combines financial resources from the Government of Latvia and donations of Latvian people.

Thank you and glory to Ukraine!