On March 19, UHHRU participated in the discussion devoted to improvement of quality of the legal services for vulnerable groups of women in the format of a workshop.

The event was organized by Association of Women-Lawyers of Ukraine  “YURFEM” in the premises of  “PRAVOKATOR” legal club.

During the event the representatives of non-governmental organizations, free legal advice centers, lawyers and advocated exchanged up-to-date information and own elaborations regarding:
– access to justice for women from vulnerable groups: living with HIV, using drugs, those included into control risk groups.

– multiple discrimination of women from vulnerable groups, including gender-based violence.

Please see full program of the event  here

Practical part of the event was devoted to the group work in the form of the analysis and preparation of recommendations on the following issues:

1. Specifics and problems of providing legal assistance to women, living with HIV;
2. Specifics and problems of providing legal assistance to women using drugs;
3. Specifics and problems of providing legal assistance to women from sex industry.

Main joint recommendation for solving listed problems was formed as the initiative for conducting active and quality information policy on different aspects of work with cases on protection of people living with HIV/AIDS, using drugs, workers of sex industry. Until now a lot of myths and prejudices are widespread in Ukrainian society. Organizations and experts specialized in providing legal assistance to the control groups, and also the representatives of state authorities shall raise their qualification, develop tolerant attitude, take into account all difficulties and peculiarities of work with such cases.

The legislation in this sphere also requires changes, as it contains inaccuracies and clear contradictions.

This event was one of the series of planned round tables and seminars devoted to protection of rights of vulnerable groups of population, so based on the results of the series of events methodological recommendations will be prepared for lawyers and advocates, working with such problems in Ukraine.