About the war and sex work in Ukraine with Iryna Yemelianova, Lutsk town

We are talking with Iryna Yemelianova, the leader of the initiative group of sex workers from CO ‘Legalife-Ukraine’ in Lutsk town of Ukraine.

Natalia Dorofeeva, CO “Legalife-Ukraine” (ND): Iryna, a year has passed since our last interview. What important changes have taken place in your life since then? 

Iryna: There have been no particular changes in my life. There is a catastrophic lack of time. I realise that I need to learn to use and plan my working time more effectively. Otherwise, I will face psychological overload. I am constantly trying to find the positive aspects in everything, to enjoy and appreciate life. 

An important event in my life at the beginning of the year was buying a car. I still wonder how I managed to achieve my goal. Buying a car is only the beginning, but learning to drive and getting a license is a real challenge.  A colleague of mine once said that he probably wouldn’t have dared to do this at my age. But I didn’t think about my age. This year I turned 65. At some point, I realised that I needed to buy a car to save time and resources. And I did it. Now I am much more on time during working hours, and driving a car brings a lot of positive and varied emotions. My female colleagues told me that after buying a car, life would change into a ‘before’ and ‘after’. And it is true!

Volyn is a relatively calm region in Ukraine, and I’ve had a few ‘flights’. It is surprising how differently people live through the war. A part of the population lives as if there is no war in the country. Nothing has changed in their lives, they have not been affected by a grief, separation, anxiety about their loved ones, or destruction.

ND: How do you and your loved ones cope - I mean with material problems, the mental health of family members, and other problems caused by the war?

Iryna: Years of war really affected me, like most women in Ukraine. Constant air raids and loss of control over my own life sometimes ‘switch off’ all emotions, leading to stress, constant anxiety and depression. Thank God, I don’t feel this helplessness very often. I am saved by routine work, talking to a psychologist, going to the forest or walking in the park. In difficult moments, I turn to psychologist Elena Vertinskaya for help. Thanks to her help, I can cope with the realities of today without any damage to my mental health. Conversations with Elena are inspiring me, fill me with optimism, and give me the strength to move on.

I often think about the fate of our IDPs who have lost their jobs, homes, normal way of life, and relatives. I wonder if I would have had the strength, courage, resilience and wisdom to adapt to the new conditions of life. Would I have found the inner motivation to return to life and start all over again? For some reason, I’m not very sure.

In addition to my activities at CO ‘Legalife-Ukraine’, I work as a department head at the Lutsk branch of the Rivne Regional Charitable Foundation "Our Future", and I am involved in HIV prevention projects. I have a lot of work. My husband also has a job. My children have grown up and learned to live with little or no material support. We have enough money for the essentials.

Having a job seems to give us a sense of security, reduces anxiety about the uncertain future, and gives us confidence in overcoming temporary difficulties. But at the same time you realise that there is a war going on, and everything can change in a moment. Since the beginning of the war, the prices of goods and utilities have risen significantly, so we try to get by with the essentials and donate to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

ND: What about your wards, what changes have taken place in your initiative group (IG) this year?

Iryna: Unfortunately, two girls have died in the last year, but new ones have joined the initiative group. The group is growing. Our girls belong to vulnerable groups and cross-groups - these are SWs, SWs +HIV, SWs + PLWD, SWs + PLWD + IDP, SWs + PLWD +PLWH, etc.

I am very happy that my girls communicate and support each other outside the IG. We have a chat on Viber called ‘Women of Volyn’ where they share news of their personal lives, their troubles and joys, and advice for all occasions. This group maintains a tradition of celebrating the birthdays of its members, even giving them small gifts. It was very nice when the girls wished me a happy birthday. The girls organised a sweet table, gave me flowers and a warm blanket.

This year, a girl from the IG completed her training and started working as a paralegal at CO ‘Legalife-Ukraine’. I am very glad that I was able to help this girl to unlock her potential and ‘infected’ her with the activism virus. In general, the awareness of IG girls about protecting their rights, barrier-free access to medical and social services has significantly increased, and the level of self-stigma has decreased.

Now I am interviewing and gathering girls for cutting and sewing courses. The owner of our premises has agreed to provide free courses for our girls. She will provide all course participants with sewing machines and tools. I hope that this idea will benefit the girls.

In the photo: participants of the self-help group for sex workers in Lutsk, 2024

ND: Iryna, in the third year of the war, people are very tired, and tensions in society are growing.  In your opinion, are positive changes in the attitudes of society and the authorities towards sex workers and sex work possible in such conditions?

Iryna: Yes, the fatigue from the war is very noticeable, which is why the level of aggression is increasing. This aggression is often directed at the less protected and vulnerable. Therefore, sex workers are often the target of aggression. People who, for example, have had their IDP payments delayed or cancelled, or who are not paid the minimum wage, etc. often blame sex workers for all their troubles at the household level. But, on the other hand, there are more and more people who defend them – «What have they done to you or society? You don’t need it - don’t take it, don’t look at it. But someone needs it!». And the degree of tension is gradually subsiding.

In my opinion, the level of stigma is still gradually decreasing. I was once at an NGO event where women, upon learning about the community I represent, joked that they were married and were also sex workers to some extent. A couple of years ago, hardly any of these women would have supported such a joke.

ND: Do you personally have to face negative reactions and hate in real life or on social media regarding your activities?

Iryna: Recently, two windows were broken in our office where we meet and hold information sessions. The locals did not take kindly to their new neighbours. When I talk to the residents, I try to explain the goals and purpose of my work, and I often find understanding, support, and sometimes help.

Recently, a young family gave us a baby stroller, which we handed over to a mother with many children.

On social media, I sometimes encounter hate, stigmatisation or statements about sex work that it is only a woman’s own choice. Then I try to explain that, despite her choice, a woman has the same rights as all other people - to unimpeded access to medical, social, and legal services, to safety and protection of rights, etc.

ND: Does your inner circle support your ideas and initiatives for sex workers?

Iryna: My family and close friends have always supported me in my work. I can always count on their help. Everyone understands the importance of community support. My husband, son, and colleagues help me get humanitarian aid, put it in packages, and do not allow me to lift or carry heavy things. Due to the high workload at work, there is little time and energy left for household chores. Therefore, the support, understanding, and help of loved ones gives me strength, improves my mood, and adds optimism and self-confidence.

In the photo, representatives of CO ‘Legalife-Ukraine’ meet with the senior inspector of the department of commissioners for monitoring the observance of human rights in police activities in the Volyn region 

ND: Iryna, how different are your relations with state authorities and the police in 2024 compared to 2023 and 2022? 

Iryna: As a community leader, I have established partnerships with government agencies and the police. Compared to 2022-2023, our organisation is already known in the region. If earlier, when meeting officials, they could hardly hide their surprise and smile when listening to the problems and needs of sex workers, now in Lutsk there is a range of organisations and institutions that are focused on the quality provision of services to vulnerable groups, human rights protection, and combating gender-based violence. So there is someone to turn to when solving a problem, and together we try to help women.

ND: Do you often have to ‘cross paths’ with the police nowadays? Is there any change in the attitude of police officers towards sex workers?

Iryna: There was a time at the beginning of the war when the police seemed to have forgotten about sex workers, and there were fewer raids on girls.

Over the past 9 months, 6 men and 1 woman in Volyn have been prosecuted for luring women into prostitution. The trials have been held, and in most cases, people receive suspended sentences or are released from punishment if they do not commit a new criminal offence within a year.

Now sex workers complain that police raids have become more frequent. But the police are quite loyal to sex workers. The girls say that there have been much fewer outright violations of their rights by the police. But there are still cases of blackmail, coercion to cooperate, etc.

ND: What is the current situation with access to healthcare in your region: what barriers do sex workers face when receiving medical care? 

Iryna: When girls seek medical care, they do not talk about belonging to a vulnerable group. During information sessions, I tell girls how to receive medical services in healthcare facilities under the Medical Guarantees Program 2024. Of course, there are cases of stigma and discrimination against girls, especially from the SWs + PLWD cross-group. But in such cases, we provide paralegal assistance, accompaniment to the institution, and help with filing a complaint with the head of the healthcare facility.

Girls complain about the inability to get vouchers to specialists due to their heavy workload in public hospitals, so they find money and go to private clinics.

There are problems with the treatment of hepatitis C with public funds. This year, only 40 treatment courses were allocated to Volyn, and the waiting list is 400 patients. Therefore, together with partner organisations, we will advocate for the allocation of a quota of courses for the treatment of people from vulnerable groups.

ND: What about the range of HIV prevention and harm reduction services, are there any complaints from girls?

Iryna: In Volyn, prevention and harm reduction services are provided by the Lutsk branch of the ‘Our Future’ (БФ «Наше Майбутнє»). The branch provides condoms and lubricants, HIV and syphilis testing, tuberculosis screening, and pre-exposure prophylaxis counselling.

Clients complain about the insufficient amount of handouts they receive per visit to the NGO, the lack of female condoms, pregnancy tests, and hygiene products. It seems to me that it is necessary to reform the work on HIV prevention with vulnerable groups, add new modern services, and change approaches to work.

ND: What are the main concerns of SWs today in your region, and have their needs changed over the year?

Iryna: The main problem of women today is their poor financial situation. The sex worker community has suffered tremendously from the war: a sharp decline in income, a significant increase in prices for basic necessities, utilities, rent, etc. Women cannot feed their families and provide housing. Women also talk about the need for medicines. 

Last year, women had an urgent need for household items and the means necessary to survive in the face of power and water cuts. For 2 years, our organisation has been trying to meet this urgent need. CO ‘Legalife-Ukraine’ with the support of Alianza por la Solidaridad provides monthly assistance to sex workers with food and hygiene kits, warm clothes and the means necessary for survival in extreme conditions. Now our women and their families feel more confident in anticipation of the cold weather and are sincerely grateful for the care and support in this difficult time.

In the photo: humanitarian aid to sex workers from CO ‘Legalife-Ukraine’ in Lutsk, 2024

ND: Please recall the last time you helped sex workers, what needs were met?

Iryna: Recently, a woman sought help because she was forced to leave her partner because of domestic violence. She could take almost nothing of her personal belongings out of her partner’s apartment. She had no money for food or hygiene. The woman returned to the apartment she shared with her sister and her family, which she inherited from her parents. The sister was not very happy, because she already considered the house her own. She categorically refused to help the woman. Therefore, the charitable assistance of our organisation was very timely and necessary.

We also helped the woman when she fell ill. At first, she covered her needs for medicines and food from her savings. But the illness dragged on, and she was forced to seek help. We were able to provide her with food, hygiene products and a certificate from a partner organisation for UAH 500 to a pharmacy.

There was a similar case, a woman was hospitalised from work. Her parents live in a village in the neighbouring region and she has no husband, so she needed our support. 

ND: Iryna, what is your personal motivation for working in the field of sex workers’ rights protection? What do you consider your main achievement on this path?

Iryna: Protecting the rights of sex workers during wartime is extremely important because they face particular risks in a military conflict. Sex workers find themselves in an extremely vulnerable situation due to the threat of physical and sexual violence by armed men, economic instability that forces them into risky working conditions, social stigma and discrimination when accessing medical, social or legal services.

Shelters should be opened for sex workers who have experienced violence or lost their homes during the war, and this is a task for human rights defenders. Paralegal assistance in case of violation of women’s rights, in situations of violence, in providing access to services, psychological support is extremely necessary for our women, especially during the war.

In the photo: members of the initiative group of sex workers in Lutsk during an information meeting, 2024

I consider my achievement to be that I managed to unite the girls into an initiative group of sex workers. At the information sessions, I try to explain to the girls that only by uniting we can change the situation of sex workers in Ukraine. Girls become more aware of their rights and become more courageous. Only when every girl reacts to violations of her rights, writes statements, complaints, and seeks justice, can we achieve results.

Leaders and paralegals, with all their desire, will not change the situation without community mobilisation and joint efforts. When people ask for help, we try to solve and help in each specific situation. If necessary, we provide social support in institutions.

In the photo: activists and leaders of the sex worker community, 2024

ND: Do you feel support from activists from other regions of Ukraine?

Iryna: Of course I do! In our organisation, I can ask for help from the central office, from our activists in the regions. And they will always help and support me. For technical assistance, I often turn to Maryna Pohorila, director of the Poltava branch of Legalife-Ukraine. I always get timely help or advice.

If I have any questions about my work, I turn to Olena Fiskova, the coordinator of the areas, who will patiently clarify all issues, provide assistance or correct mistakes.

Despite being very busy, the director of our organisation, Natalia Isaieva, has never refused to help. I am sincerely grateful to have joined such a wonderful, responsive team of women.

ND: Some Ukrainian bloggers have started to pay attention to the problem of sex work regulation in Ukraine. How can you assess such initiatives? 

Iryna: It seems to me that there are no well-known bloggers in Ukraine who specialise in the topic of sex workers’ rights. However, a few media personalities touch upon this topic.

It seems to me that the fact that they are starting to talk about such an uncomfortable topic for everyone is a positive change in society. For me, Natalia Isaieva, director of Legalife-Ukraine, is an authority on participation in public discussions and speeches.  It raises important issues such as protection of sex workers’ rights, social protection, combating violence, and advocates for legislative initiatives to decriminalise sex work.

In the context of human rights, Serhiy Pernikosa from the Association UMDPL and Alina Sarnatska, who speaks frankly about herself, sex work and pressing issues for the community, talk about decriminalisation of sex work.

In general, it seems to me that the more different information products there are in the media, social networks, different opinions, discussions, the easier it will be to achieve the main goal - decriminalisation of sex work in Ukraine.

ND: By the way, in connection with the legalisation of medical cannabis and the adoption of a new, more democratic HIV law, do you expect sex work to be decriminalised in the near future?

Iryna: I expect and hope! Hope dies last. Today I even read that the president will sign the law on civil partnerships after it is supported by the Rada. So, positive changes are happening in Ukraine.

With the legalisation of medical cannabis, things turned out to be not as rosy as we thought. People in need of treatment have a hope of getting medicine in Ukraine instead of smuggling it across the border, which is a positive change. Despite the high demand for medicines, the system is not fully operational. There is limited access to medicines - there is only one pharmacy registered that can produce cannabis-based medicines, and the active pharmaceutical ingredients for their production have not yet been approved. There are still regulatory restrictions when medicines can only be obtained by e-prescription from designated pharmacies. Medicines are prescribed only after traditional treatment has been tried and are second-line drugs. Thus, many patients in need of cannabis-based medicines do not yet have access to them due to the slow implementation of legislative and technical regulations. But there is hope!

Therefore, I am confident that Ukraine will follow the path of democratic change. Strengthening of democratic institutions, respect for human rights, protection of the rights of vulnerable groups, freedom of speech and media, social equality, and the European vector will become the realities of Ukraine, and not just the theses for democratic change in Ukraine. I believe that decriminalisation of sex work in Ukraine will happen!

ND: At the end of our conversation, I propose to make a wish for 2025 for all Ukrainians, and let them come true!

Iryna: I wish all Ukrainians and myself the long-awaited peace and victory — for me, the fact that we have been holding out for three years is already a victory. I wish for the restoration of statehood and individuality, unity and cohesion, prosperity, health and family comfort, hope and love!

I wish the sex worker community safety and protection, respect for rights, full access to medical and social services, common solidarity and personal happiness!

Let Ukraine take concrete steps towards decriminalising sex work, creating conditions for a just and safe life.

Let 2025 be a year of new opportunities and worthy recognition!

Interview by Natalia Dorofeeva (CO “Legalife-Ukraine”)