FC "Kryvbas" announced cooperation with the All-Ukrainian organization "Project Kesher in Ukraine"

Joining the global initiative "16 days against violence", FC "Kryvbas" within the framework of the "Equality Hub" initiative (FC "Kryvbas" and the "Aurora" network) announced cooperation with the All-Ukrainian Jewish women's public organization "Project Kesher in Ukraine" for the implementation common idea - the development and implementation of an unprecedented Code of Ethics. The purpose of this document will be to draw attention to and prevent various manifestations of gender-based violence in sports and football in particular.

The draft of the document and intentions regarding further work were presented during a press briefing at the Hirnyk stadium on December 1, 2023. For FC Kryvbas, this is the next consistent step in the direction of promoting equal rights and opportunities for women and men in the context of the direct connection between equality and the eradication of a wide range of forms of violence, because it prevents the development of potential. "Kryvbas" is convinced that violence is unacceptable and is ready to become a pilot site for the development and testing of the Code - a document that will allow to define and try to find ways to stop it.

"This year, Kryvbas has officially defined the affirmation of equal rights and opportunities for women and men as its direction of social responsibility, in order to once again emphasize our approach to the development of the club, sharing experience and realizing the full potential of football for positive changes. We are the first football club in Ukraine with such a priority, but we believe that we will not remain alone and will become an impetus and an example.

Cooperation and shared values ​​are important for the formation of a new Ukrainian society, he emphasized Artem Gagarin, vice president of FC "Kryvbas". - We are sure that stereotypes and any restrictions are a big mistake and a problem that only brings harm, both socially and economically. Today we also talk about the fact that restrictions, disrespect, humiliation, non-recognition of achievements, not to mention serious violations, are violence. It is important for us that these manifestations become fewer."

For experienced human rights defenders from "Project Kesher", the Codex initiative is the first contribution to the development of an ethical component in sports, which is actually absent in Ukraine, and to the development of a safe environment in it.

"I often think about the line between discipline and humanity in sports," she commented Vlada Nedak, executive director of the "Kesher in Ukraine Project" and the charity fund "Women's Opportunities". - Physical and emotional safety of sportsmen and women, protection of their personal boundaries and respect are very important. Together with Kryvbas, we join forces to make our Code of Ethics an effective tool for fighting sexism and gender-based violence in sports. This is a democratic process that Ukraine needs on its way to the European Union."

Midfielder of ZFK "Kryvbas" Love of the Brain supported the initiative of the Code, noting that although she personally, fortunately, had no experience with manifestations of violence, she knows that such a problem exists in Ukraine. Ukrainian football players and sportswomen need protection and ways to seek help in such cases.

"Of course, I had to overcome stereotypes about "non-feminine sports", as well as train in the conditions that existed. For example, the needs of individual changing rooms were not taken into account before. Now I understand that I would like to become a coach of the men's team after finishing my playing career. It makes me happy to know that because the topic of equality is raised, there is a chance that my dream will come true."

Denis Matsebura, senior the coach of the girls' team "Kryvbas" U-15, who brought up the champions of Ukraine and teaches courses for coaches about the psychological features of work in women's football, confirmed that the specifics are extraordinary and the responsibility of the coach is very high, because the girls trust him completely.

Given that women's football currently has more men's football specialists coming to work, the Code could be a useful tool for preventing embarrassing or dangerous situations. "Women's football is almost a family format. Trust is very important, the result ultimately depends on it. Therefore, a safe environment must be guaranteed. Ukraine needs additional tools to achieve this," the coach admitted.

In general, the implementation of ethical codes is a fairly common phenomenon, but there are no specific ones for football and sports, even with a gender-sensitive approach. For the field of sports, the difficulty of the task is twofold - the priority of the sports result and the "inconvenience" of the topic of violence in order to disclose such facts and ask for help.

Therefore, now the founders of the initiative face the task of creating a document from scratch that would meet Ukrainian reality and needs, international legal principles, and also provide for effective mechanisms for responding to incidents of violence and preventing or at least reducing its manifestations in the future. Experts will be involved in the work on it.

Currently, the document has 9 main conceptual commitments for future signatories among professional and amateur football and sports stakeholders:

1. Respect the rights of all sportsmen and women and observe equality

2. To combat violence and discrimination

3. Be a positive role model

4. To provide a safe environment for training and competitions with respect for the dignity of the participants

5. Value privacy

6. Maintain a high standard of fair play and integrity

7. To maintain high standards of the profession

8. Recognize achievements and reward everyone's contribution.

9. Reject the culture of indifference and work in partnership.

We will remind you that together with the general partner of the Kryvbas women's team, the Aurora multimarket chain, in August 2023, the Equality Hub platform was founded. This event became the second in the framework of her activities after an expert discussion with the support of the Office of the Government Commissioner for the Implementation of Gender Policy and the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the PACE Maria Mezentseva with representatives of ministries, public organizations, where we presented football for the first time for Ukraine as a tool for promoting equal rights and opportunities

The next achievement was the partnership with "Project Kesher in Ukraine". The hub will continue to provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the topic of gender equality in a football context and interact with key national and local stakeholders.

The global information campaign "16 days against gender-based violence" started on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and will continue until December 10, the International Human Rights Day and the International Football Day, every year around the world. This year FC "Kryvbas" joined it for the first time - the players came to the final match of the Cup of Ukraine with orange ribbons on their hands as a sign of solidarity with the campaign.

He continued with the initiative of the Code of Ethics and partnership with the well-known profile organization "Project Kesher in Ukraine" for joint work in the field of promoting gender equality, combating gender-based violence and developing a safe environment in sports.       

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih