From Monitoring to Change: Discussing the Preliminary Findings of the Study on Court Proceedings Related to Gender-Based Violence and Gender Aspects of the Administration of Justice
On 23–24 July 2026, Kyiv hosted the intersectoral expert validation meeting «From Monitoring to Change: Discussing the Preliminary Findings of the Study on Court Proceedings Related to Gender-Based Violence and Gender Aspects of the Administration of Justice.»
The event was held as part of the activities implemented in cooperation between the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine, the Supreme Court, the National School of Judges of Ukraine, and the Human Rights Vector NGO within the framework of the project «Safeguarding Human Rights through Courts, Phase II.»
The meeting served as an expert platform for the professional discussion of the preliminary findings of the thematic monitoring of court proceedings related to all forms and aspects of gender-based violence and gender aspects of the administration of justice. The monitoring is conducted in accordance with the standards of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) trial monitoring programmes, adapted to the current challenges in Ukraine. This is the first thematic court monitoring initiative of its kind to be implemented in Ukraine.
The meeting brought together representatives of the judiciary, prosecution service, legal profession, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, service and support providers, and the expert community working in the fields of human rights, gender equality, and access to justice.
During the meeting, the expert team presented the preliminary findings of the field phase of the monitoring, which was conducted earlier this year. Participants discussed emerging trends, challenges, and practices related to the adjudication of gender-based violence cases, the implementation of a victim-centred approach, and the protection of the right to a fair trial.
Particular attention was paid to analysing the survivor's journey throughout court proceedings, the challenges arising at different stages of criminal and civil proceedings, as well as proceedings on administrative offences, and the role of trial monitoring as a tool for improving judicial practice and strengthening intersectoral cooperation.
An important component of the event was the validation of the preliminary findings of the study. Representatives of different professional communities compared the monitoring findings with their own practical experience and provided expert feedback on the monitoring tools, conclusions, and recommendations. This discussion will contribute to finalising the study's findings and ensuring their practical value for the further improvement of justice policies and practices.
The comments and proposals received during the meeting will be taken into account by the expert team in the preparation of the final analytical report and the finalisation of the recommendations based on the thematic monitoring.
It is important to emphasise that the project promotes continuous professional dialogue among representatives of different sectors involved in responding to cases of gender-based violence. The discussions bring together professionals working at every stage of the survivor's journey—from the identification of a case and its investigation to court proceedings and the enforcement of court decisions. This makes it possible to analyse the functioning of the justice system in a comprehensive manner and to develop practical recommendations based on the experience of different institutions, united around a victim-centred approach.
Activities fostering this dialogue have been organised throughout the entire research cycle—from the development of the monitoring methodology to the discussion of the preliminary findings and the joint development of recommendations based on the monitoring results.
Stronger Together!
The event was held as part of the activities implemented in cooperation between the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine, the Supreme Court, the National School of Judges of Ukraine, and the Human Rights Vector NGO within the framework of the project «Safeguarding Human Rights through Courts, Phase II.»
The meeting served as an expert platform for the professional discussion of the preliminary findings of the thematic monitoring of court proceedings related to all forms and aspects of gender-based violence and gender aspects of the administration of justice. The monitoring is conducted in accordance with the standards of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) trial monitoring programmes, adapted to the current challenges in Ukraine. This is the first thematic court monitoring initiative of its kind to be implemented in Ukraine.
The meeting brought together representatives of the judiciary, prosecution service, legal profession, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, service and support providers, and the expert community working in the fields of human rights, gender equality, and access to justice.
During the meeting, the expert team presented the preliminary findings of the field phase of the monitoring, which was conducted earlier this year. Participants discussed emerging trends, challenges, and practices related to the adjudication of gender-based violence cases, the implementation of a victim-centred approach, and the protection of the right to a fair trial.
Particular attention was paid to analysing the survivor's journey throughout court proceedings, the challenges arising at different stages of criminal and civil proceedings, as well as proceedings on administrative offences, and the role of trial monitoring as a tool for improving judicial practice and strengthening intersectoral cooperation.
An important component of the event was the validation of the preliminary findings of the study. Representatives of different professional communities compared the monitoring findings with their own practical experience and provided expert feedback on the monitoring tools, conclusions, and recommendations. This discussion will contribute to finalising the study's findings and ensuring their practical value for the further improvement of justice policies and practices.
The comments and proposals received during the meeting will be taken into account by the expert team in the preparation of the final analytical report and the finalisation of the recommendations based on the thematic monitoring.
It is important to emphasise that the project promotes continuous professional dialogue among representatives of different sectors involved in responding to cases of gender-based violence. The discussions bring together professionals working at every stage of the survivor's journey—from the identification of a case and its investigation to court proceedings and the enforcement of court decisions. This makes it possible to analyse the functioning of the justice system in a comprehensive manner and to develop practical recommendations based on the experience of different institutions, united around a victim-centred approach.
Activities fostering this dialogue have been organised throughout the entire research cycle—from the development of the monitoring methodology to the discussion of the preliminary findings and the joint development of recommendations based on the monitoring results.
Stronger Together!
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