Workshop in Kyiv, Ukraine: Strengthening Protection Advocacy Through IHL

On the invitation of Oxfam, colleagues from the IHL Centre travelled to Kyiv, Ukraine, to deliver a specialised workshop for two leading national NGOs –Rokada and The Tenth of April. Both organisations work at the forefront of protection efforts across conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine.

The workshop focused on strengthening the use of international humanitarian law in protection advocacy, supporting participants to integrate legal standards into their fieldwork and engagement with authorities. A dedicated session explored the diversity of civilians and harms in armed conflict, and the importance of adopting an inclusive interpretation of IHL to ensure that no group is overlooked.

During the training, we also introduced and workshopped the Stockholm Manual: A Practitioner’s Guide to Conducting IHL Assessments and Advocacy, sharing practical tools and approaches for documenting incidents, analysing legal obligations, and advocating for improved protection outcomes.

We are grateful to Oxfam, Rokada, and The Tenth of April for their collaboration and for the vital work they continue to carry out every day. See here a video on the workshop.