Adolescent girls in Ukraine deeply impacted by psychological effects of gender-based violence

6 December 2024 – A new study highlighting the impacts of gender-based violence (GBV) on adolescent girls and boys in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict – co-authored by World Vision and NGO “Girls” – reveals that girls are more likely than boys to recognise the various forms of violence that GBV can take, while also being more susceptible to psychological violence. 

The study shows that: 

• Nearly half (49%) of respondents identified adolescent girls as the group most vulnerable to GBV, highlighting significant concerns about their exposure to these risks due to limited autonomy and social stigma.  

• The psychosocial effects of GBV are generally greater on adolescent girls who are more likely to experience a loss in self-confidence and feelings of confusion – two in every five girls (37% and 39%, respectively) that experienced GBV report losing self-confidence and feeling confused compared to a quarter of boys (24% and 26%) after experiencing psychological violence. 
  

• Adolescent boys’ understanding of GBV is mostly correlated with physical aspects of violence and relationships between the sexes as well as control – they often view GBV as acts that undermine an individual's freedom and autonomy, while limiting personal agency. However, boys tend to find it harder to explain the causes of GBV (35%), compared to girls (25%). 
  

• The gendered impacts of the war are also acknowledged by adolescents who live in conflict-affected areas, and internally displaced boys and girls who have since returned home.  

• Girls are less likely to seek help for GBV and are more aware of the negative consequences of reporting GBV than boys. A staggering 81% of adolescents said they had not sought help for psychological GBV, with adolescent girls being much less likely to seek help compared to boys. 

Adolescents are some of the groups that are most exposed to GBV, especially in times of crisis, conflict and displacement. Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable while being least likely to seek assistance from caregivers or humanitarian agencies due to the stigma. Despite their vulnerability, children and young people are often overlooked in GBV research, policy, and programming. Such gaps can hinder the design and delivery of preventive GBV programming adapted to adolescents’ and, in particular, girls’ needs. 

"Gender-based violence is a very sad reality for many adolescent girls in Ukraine and is currently being exacerbated by the ongoing war. Girls are not only more likely than boys to experience psychological and physical violence, but they are also less likely to seek help due to stigma and absence of tailored support systems. We must do more to support girls and boys when addressing and preventing all forms of GBV. World Vision remains dedicated to serving those most in need through our ongoing programs, providing life-saving support, and creating responsive systems that protect and empower adolescents," said Arman Grigoryan, Response Director at World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response. 

"We need to think about creating safe spaces for girls in Ukraine. All GBV prevention initiatives need to be integrated in both formal and informal education activities so that we can work together with parents, teachers, and child protection experts to prevent all forms of GBV and empower girls," said Yuliya Sporysh, founder of NGO “Girls” in Ukraine. 

Notes to Editor: 

World Vision and NGO “Girls” jointly conducted a nationwide study to collect disaggregated and comprehensive data on GBV in Ukraine. Six focus group discussions – three with girls and three with boys – took place with groups of adolescents. An additional 1,200 adolescents (600 boys and 600 girls) took part in an online survey. Nearly half (44%) of the adolescents who responded to the survey were directly affected by the conflict: 33% were displaced and 11% remained in a conflict zone.