The Duchess of Edinburgh becomes first Royal to visit Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion

The Duchess of Edinburgh had a meeting with people who survived sexual violence, female-IDPs, and volunteers who are lending assistance to their communities to cope with the traumatic effects of Bucha's liberation, which happened two years ago. She also expressed her condolences to the families of those who died during Russia's occupation.

On this day, the 29th of April, the Duchess of Edinburgh is taking a historic trip to Ukraine. She is making this journey as a way to stand in solidarity with those who have endured sexual violence and torture as a result of conflicts in the area. The Duchess is a strong advocate for the UK's Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security movement. She is the first member of the Royal family to visit Ukraine since the full-scale invasion by Russia.

During her time in Ukraine, the Duchess of Edinburgh had the opportunity to have a meaningful encounter with those who had survived sexual violence and torture caused by conflicts, and also with children who were forcefully taken away from their families and sent back to Ukraine by Russia. These individuals demonstrated immense courage and resilience in the face of such adversity and were able to share their experiences with the Duchess. This campaign by Russia to eradicate Ukrainian culture has had severe consequences for the families involved, with many experiencing the pain of separation and displacement.

The Queen had a meeting with President Zelenskyy and First Lady Zelenska to talk about providing assistance to individuals who have experienced sexual violence as a result of conflict. They also discussed the significance of women peacebuilders in helping Ukraine recover and rebuild. The goal is to ensure that the recovery process is successful and sustainable.

Speaking at the CRSV Conference last month, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh highlighted the issue of sexual violence in conflict zones.

Courageous survivors, both locally and globally, have fearlessly shared their personal experiences.

The people who remind us to never forget about survivors of this crime are the strongest advocates. It's important that we don't ignore the terrible things that happened, and they make sure we remember.

Instead, we need to join forces with all victims to guarantee fairness and comprehensive compensation, and make sure that this offense is not seen as a normal occurrence during wars.

We must prioritize the rights and opinions of those affected by sexual violence during conflict in order to put an end to it for good.

When The Duchess of Edinburgh went to Bucha, she showed her honor to the people who passed away 2 years after being liberated from the Russian army. She also went to see the 'Road to Life', a bridge that played an important role in Ukrainian resistance by getting destroyed to impede Russian troops from getting to Kyiv. Later on, the bridge became a crucial way for individuals to seek refuge from the Russian occupation.

During a meeting with female volunteers, Her Royal Highness expressed her backing for Ukrainian women who have contributed significantly to the conflict and the revitalization of their communities. These volunteers are actively supporting their communities in dealing with the aftermath of attacks by providing mental health care activities for children.

Starting in 2022, the United Kingdom has promised to provide Ukraine with more than £4.7 billion in non-military help. A significant portion of this amount, over £660 million, will be used for bilateral assistance that places a strong emphasis on the requirements of women and girls. This will involve the funding of essential services for victims of Gender-Based Violence, as well as collaboration with the Office of the Prosecutor General to ensure that the treatment of survivors is at the forefront of any activities associated with the prosecution of sexual violence crimes related to conflicts.

The United Kingdom is collaborating with other countries to bring to justice those who are accountable for heinous acts. Not only are we offering funds and technological support to the International Criminal Court, but we have also dispatched skilled UK professionals who specialize in combat-related sexual violence and war crimes to the area. Moreover, we have established an experienced Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group along with the European Union and the United States.