In today’s world there must be  no place for violence. Without the slightest exception, all people deserve to live in peace, free from fear and want, fully knowing that their lives are not in danger and that they have the space and the means to develop their full potential.

Unfortunately, violence still exists globally, and Ukraine is no exception. Violence has been ruthlessly shattering the lives of many people who have been directly or indirectly affected by the protracted armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. Some of this violence occurs on the streets and is perpetrated for political reasons, while other brutality happens behind closed doors.

It is worth noting that violence can also occur online. As our online and offline lives become more integrated, gender-based violence and its impacts overlap in both physical and digital spaces. Perpetrators of gender based violence are now using digital tools, such as social media and GPS tracking, to cause harm alongside in-person violence.

For all these reasons and more, our flagship annual event this year “Hack for Locals 3.0,” which is jointly organized by UNDP, UNFPA and UN Women under the UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme, is dedicated to supporting innovative ideas as part of the  international campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”. The event is funded by the European Union and the governments of Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.  

I would like to thank all of you who have enthusiastically joined us in the hackathon today, and I look forward to seeing the innovative solutions that you will develop and propose in the next few days. Your ideas and creations will help Ukraine to confront and prevent all forms of violence, against children, women, and men. Beyond Ukraine, the best ideas will be shared globally through UNDP’s offices and programmes in more than 170 countries and territories.

I encourage you to express your creative and groundbreaking vision to the fullest, as your     suggestions might eventually help save someone’s life. Your ideas may help show someone a pathway out of the darkness, giving people hope and chance to live a happy and fulfilling life.

The preamble of the United Nations Charter calls on all nations and all people to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours. Your work today will contribute to this vision. Your dedication to this great cause is beyond inspiring, and we at UNDP are very proud to help you in this important endeavour.

I wish you the best of luck and I look forward to seeing the results of your hard work!