Themes by tag: Kyiv
On November 29, the Media Center Ukraine in Kyiv will host a press conference titled “HIV in Ukraine: Challenges, statistics and realities of war.” The event will explore the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine, with a focus on how the war has affected access to treatment and care.
Participants:
– Olha Klymova, Specialist of the Department of HIV Control and Prevention at the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine;
– Yaroslava Lopatina, Head of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Ukraine;
– Anastasiia Kuznetsova, specialist in infectious diseases;
– Liubov Kuzhovkina, representative of the youth movement Teenergizer.
(All in person)
Topics of discussion:
– The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine: Current statistics;
– Early diagnosis, the importance of regular testing;
– Challenges in the realities of a full-scale invasion;
– Discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive people;
For reference: 1 December is World AIDS Day, commemorating a disease that has claimed an estimated 40.4 million lives worldwide. According to the Center for Public Health, the prevalence of HIV infection, taking into account demographic changes, is about 430 per 100 thousand people. In Ukraine, an average of 4 people die every day from AIDS-related diseases.
In Kyiv, a unique rehabilitation project is helping military personnel recover through archery, including those who have lost limbs. The initiative welcomes veterans, active-duty soldiers, and their families, offering free daily training sessions.
Leading the effort is Dmytro Lvovskyi, an international master of sports and founder and Board Chair of the “Ukrainian Archery Space” NGO. Since 2014, he has funded archery training for wounded soldiers, including veterans of the ATO service, using his own resources. His work expanded with support from the Kyiv City Center for Physical Culture and Sports for Persons with Disabilities “Invasport” and the All-Ukrainian Center for Physical Health “Sport for All,” as part of the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ “Active Parks — Unstoppable” program.
Archery is accessible to all, even those with severe injuries. Participants missing legs train from wheelchairs, while those without arms can draw the bowstring with their teeth. Even individuals who are completely blind can take part, using specialized techniques tailored for visually impaired archers.
Journalists can arrange to visit and cover the training sessions in Kyiv by appointment.
On November 28, Kyiv will host a national conference “Sexual and Reproductive Health of Youth in the Context of Humanitarian Crisis”. The event will focus on how to make youth-friendly health services more accessible in times of war, and how to communicate effectively about reproductive health and sexual education while addressing the real needs of young people. Proposals will be developed during the conference.
Participants will present research on adolescent and youth reproductive health, discuss the current situation, and conduct two workshops. One will focus on youth-friendly approaches in medical facilities, while the other will explore comprehensive sexuality education, including for children with intellectual disabilities. The work results and recommendations will be shared with relevant ministries.
The event will be attended by representatives of:
- Ministry of Health of Ukraine;
- Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine;
- United Nations Population Fund / UNFPA in Ukraine;
- Center for Public Health;
- National Health Service of Ukraine;
- scientific and educational community.
Accreditation is required to attend the event.
For reference: The conference is organized by the Women’s Health and Family Planning Charitable Foundation as part of the humanitarian response of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Sweden.
According to a study by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the number of girls in Ukraine who gave birth before the age of 14 has increased. The number of girls aged 15-17 who gave birth without prior medical supervision has also increased and now stands at about 7%. The number of illegal abortions — performed outside a medical facility or by a person without a medical degree — has increased as well.
From November 29 to December 1, journalists will have the opportunity to participate in HEFAT (Hostile Environment and First Aid Training) using Virtual Reality (VR), offering a cutting-edge approach to preparing for work in hazardous environments and providing emergency medical care under extreme conditions.
The program is tailored for journalists operating in dangerous or unstable regions, equipping them with essential skills such as threat detection, navigating active combat zones, avoiding abductions, administering basic first aid, and orienting themselves in challenging terrain.
By incorporating VR technology, the training immerses participants in highly realistic scenarios, allowing them to practice critical skills in simulated high-risk situations. This hands-on approach enhances learning retention and readiness for real-world challenges.
Registration is required to attend the training.
For reference: The event is hosted by the 2402 Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a culture of safety in Ukraine. The foundation conducts comprehensive safety training programs for journalists, media professionals, documentary filmmakers, and civic activists.
For 23 years, Viktor Penkovyi served as a military pilot, dedicating his life to protecting Ukraine. When russia launched its all-out invasion, he answered the call to defend his homeland. Tragically, Viktor lost his life during a combat mission.
His wife, Svitlana Penkova, was devastated by the loss. The grief left her struggling to find her footing. At times, the emotional and physical toll was overwhelming—she would spend days confined to her home, unable to even embrace her child due to the sheer weight of her pain.
A year after Viktor’s passing, Svitlana channeled her grief into action. She founded the Reborn NGO, an organization dedicated to supporting the families of fallen heroes. She also began writing, pouring her emotions into a book that would honor her husband’s legacy. The result was Ukrainian Hummingbirds, a heartfelt tribute to Viktor.
Through her work, Svitlana hopes to send a powerful message: even in the aftermath of profound loss, it is possible to find a new purpose while preserving the memory of those we hold dear.
Journalists can arrange to meet Svitlana in Vinnytsia or Kyiv, or communicate with her online.
For reference: The Children of Heroes charity foundation currently supports the Penkova family. The foundation assists children who have lost one or both parents due to russia’s invasion, providing financial aid, psychological and legal support, and fostering their education and development until adulthood.
Before russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, environmentalist and scientist Vladyslav Mykhailenko was dedicated to teaching at a university. But after February 2022, he felt his academic work no longer met the urgency of the moment. Determined to contribute to the war effort, Mykhailenko sought ways to merge his expertise in ecology with the needs of the Ukrainian military. The result was the creation of the Plastic Saves Lives initiative.
The project focuses on collecting plastic bottle caps. Vladyslav rallied a team of volunteers to sort through the donations, ensuring only plastic that could be sold for recycling made the cut. The funds raised are then directed toward purchasing essential equipment for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
The math is staggering: it takes 1.5 tons of plastic caps to fund a single FPV drone. Yet, the impact has been remarkable. Since its inception, Vladyslav Mykhailenko and his team have purchased a range of equipment, including an ambulance, two Mavic 3T drones, and three FPV drones, among other critical supplies.
The initiative invites everyone to participate. Individuals can drop off caps in Odesa or ship them to the volunteers via mail.
For those who wish to connect with Vladyslav Mykhailenko, appointments can be arranged for online or in-person meetings.
Ilias Sheikhisliamov, a Crimean Tatar and volunteer from the Odesa oblast, was born and raised in Crimea. After the russian occupation of the peninsula in 2014, he stayed there for another four years. Since 2019, he only visited Crimea in the summer to see his family. Ilias met the beginning of the full-scale invasion abroad: he was studying at a university in Turkey. However, he soon decided to return to Ukraine to volunteer and support the Ukrainian army.
His professors discouraged him from returning, but he insisted and later came to Odesa. He immediately started working there and joined the NGO “Crimean Tatars of Odesa Oblast”. On March 5, 2024, Ilias learned that his father, Ali Mamutov, who was living with his family in occupied Crimea, had been arrested by the russian authorities. He learned the news from his younger brother. The occupiers falsely accused Ali Mamutov of participating in or creating a terrorist organization.
While his father was being held in a detention center in Simferopol, Ilias managed to communicate with him through the russian app Zonatelecom. However, Ali Mamutov was transferred to the russian city of Rostov, and communication with him was cut off. After his father’s arrest, Ilias decided to pursue his teenage dream of becoming a lawyer. He enrolled at the Tavrida National University, which had relocated to Kyiv after Crimea’s occupation. Ilias sees this as one of the ways to keep in touch with Crimea.
Ilias Sheikhisliamov is available for interviews, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.
Background: As of May this year, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center recorded 331 cases of political imprisonment and criminal persecution since the annexation of Crimea. Of these, 217 were against members of the Crimean Tatar community.
The “Blyzki” initiative provides a space where relatives of service members and veterans can receive career development support: identifying growth directions, completing training, creating updated resumes, and preparing for job interviews. In the process, participants can connect with a community of peers who understand their experiences.
Participants can receive 2-3 months of training in a new profession, learn English, get information on starting their own business, participate in creative workshops, sports classes, and sessions for physical and mental recovery. All activities will take place offline, as the organizers believe this will foster closer relationships and better communication.
The project was launched in early 2024, first in Kyiv and later in Lviv. It welcomes partners, close relatives of military personnel, veterans, and service members in recovery.
Journalists can cover the project in Kyiv or Lviv by prior arrangement.
Background:
The “Blyzki” initiative was created by Maryna Baturynets, founder of the Bazilik School of Communications. It was inspired by a joint project between Bazilik and Veteran Hub — a communication course for military families. This course highlighted the need for education and, more importantly, interaction with people who share similar experiences.
Andrii Smyk, a professional military sniper, dedicated many years to service, taking part in combat operations from 2014 to 2020. He rejoined active duty shortly before the full-scale invasion, defending the Kyiv oblast before moving to protect the Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts. During his service, he suffered several injuries and concussions. In 2023, he returned to his hometown of Irpin for health reasons.
Inspired by childhood memories of his grandfather Mykola, a skilled woodworker, Andrii founded the eco-friendly workshop “Funny Owls” in the summer of 2024.
Together with his team, they create kitchenware, children’s toys, phone stands, candle holders, puzzles, alphabet sets and custom-made items. Discounts are available on all orders for military personnel and their families.
From December 2 to 4, Kyiv will host the National Forum on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, serving as a key platform to address pressing challenges and develop collaborative solutions to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Ukraine. This year’s event carries the theme “On the Way to the EU,” highlighting the critical reforms required to align with European standards of inclusivity and human rights.
The forum will focus on major issues such as deinstitutionalization, the overhaul of social and rehabilitation services, and expanding employment opportunities. These initiatives are seen as essential, though challenging, steps for Ukraine to meet European benchmarks for protecting the rights of people with disabilities. Activists, government officials, business leaders, and representatives from the public sector will convene to discuss strategies for advancing these reforms effectively and efficiently.
The program includes panel discussions, keynote speeches, working groups, and presentations, culminating in a set of concrete recommendations. These proposals, aimed at improving inclusivity in education, employment, accessibility, and infrastructure, will be presented to government agencies and local communities for implementation.
Additionally, a human rights action supporting the rights of people with disabilities is scheduled for December 2.
Participants must register by 6 p.m. on November 27. The forum’s exact location, details of the human rights action, and the full agenda will be shared following accreditation.
For reference: The forum is organized by the League of the Strong and Fight For Right NGOs, with support from international partners, and aims to foster meaningful change for people with disabilities in Ukraine.
