Project Kesher at CSW70: Amplifying Survivor Voices from Ukraine

Last night, representatives from Project Kesher and our partner organization Footage Foundation attended “From Principles to Voices: Survivor-Centered CRSV Global Practices and Survivor Stories from Ukraine,” an event hosted by the Ukrainian Institute of America in conjunction with the 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women taking place this week in New York.

Featuring remarks from Ambassador Melanne Verveer, the program brought together policymakers, advocates, artists, and civil society leaders to explore survivor-centered approaches to preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence. The event highlighted global best practices developed during Ukraine’s 2025 chairmanship of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, emphasizing the importance of survivor partnership in shaping policy, justice, and accountability efforts.

The evening also featured artistic and storytelling elements, including a screening excerpt from the documentary “Traces,” directed by Alisa Kovalenko, which shares the powerful stories of women who survived sexual violence during Russia’s war against Ukraine.

As part of the broader conversations taking place during CSW this week, the event underscored the critical role of Ukrainian civil society and women’s leadership in advancing survivor-centered responses and ensuring that survivors’ voices remain at the center of global advocacy and policy discussions. Project Kesher is proud to have been represented at this and other meaningful events to come this week.