ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses Ukraine’s implementation of interim reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in the context of the ongoing armed conflict that intensified in 2022. It highlights the urgent need for reparative measures to address the immediate and long-term impacts of CRSV, particularly as these acts have been systematically perpetrated against women and marginalised groups. The analysis is structured into four parts: first, an exploration of the prevalence and nature of CRSV in Ukraine; second, an exploration of the challenges associated with applying reparations under international law; third, an evaluation of Ukraine’s pilot programme for urgent interim reparations, highlighting key obstacles in implementing reparations within an ongoing armed conflict setting; and finally, a contextualisation of Ukraine’s reparative efforts within the framework of historical cases from Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, and Liberia. The findings reveal that CRSV in Ukraine has been used as a weapon of war, with systemic violence reported against individuals of all genders. In response, Ukraine has introduced pioneering legislative measures to establish a framework for immediate support through interim reparations. Civil society has played a crucial role in advocating for and shaping the pilot programme, which provides a one-time payment of $3,000 to 500 CRSV survivors, with plans for expansion based on its progress. This chapter contributes to the discourse on CRSV reparations by offering a timely analysis of Ukraine’s innovative approach in an active conflict, setting a potential precedent for other states facing similar challenges.
