Women’s Platform for Action International (WoPAI) has raised serious concerns regarding Ukraine’s Bill No. 15294, adopted at first reading by the Verkhovna Rada on 14 July 2026.While the bill includes measures to strengthen protection of children against sexual abuse material, it also introduces provisions that would decriminalise the commercial production, distribution, sale and transfer of so-called “adult” pornography.
WoPAI fully supports stronger action against child sexual abuse and exploitation. However, we are deeply concerned that this legislative change would expand a commercial pornography market without addressing the risks of trafficking, coercion, sexual exploitation, non-consensual material and the commodification of women’s bodies.
Pornography is not separate from wider systems of inequality and exploitation affecting women and girls. Any legislative reform concerning the commercial production and distribution of sexual material must ensure that women’s human dignity, rights and protection from exploitation remain at the centre.
The concern is particularly urgent in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, where displacement, poverty, insecurity and family separation increase the risks faced by women and children, including trafficking and sexual exploitation.