Tetiana Semikop
The Inspiring One
Awarded with orders and honors from the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Mayor of Odessa, and the head of the Odessa Regional Administration, as well as the Ukrainian-French Order of Queen Anne "Honor of the Motherland." She has received recognition such as "Woman of the Year," "Golden Fund of Odessa," "Woman of the Year in the Odessa Region," "Outstanding Women of Ukraine," "100 Famous Women of Ukraine," "Ukrainian Sun," and the eagle "Pride of the Nation."
“We are together, and our strength lies in unity, resilience, and an ardent belief in Ukrainian’s Victory”
Tetiana Semikop is a purposeful and charming female leader who is simply impossible to be indifferent to. Stylish, modern, fair, and dedicated to her beloved work, she has been leading one of the largest public organizations in Ukraine for 28 years, which includes 283 employees and volunteers. Each person is a tremendous potential, a concept that Tetiana once revealed and inspired with the desire to create and help. To understand the remarkable journey of a strong woman, one needs to delve into the pages of her biography.
Tetiana Semikop was born in Lutsk, Volyn Oblast. She graduated from the State Kabardino-Balkarian University, Faculty of History and Philology. In 1983, due to marriage, she moved to Odessa, where she worked as a teacher of language and literature at Secondary School No. 118 from 1983 to 1985. Since 1985, she has been in law enforcement, starting as an inspector in the juvenile affairs department of the police at the rank of police lieutenant. For the last 12 out of 25 years of service, she has been heading the criminal police department for children at the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Odessa region. She was the first female chief to hold such a position. She holds the rank of police colonel. In 2006, she defended her dissertation at the Odessa State University of Internal Affairs in the field of legal psychology, with the topic "Psychological Aspects of the Activities of Law Enforcement Officers during the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Ukraine." She holds a Ph.D. in legal sciences.
While still working in law enforcement, in 1996, with the support of the public, the "Public Movement 'Faith, Hope, Love'" was established, which she has been leading to the present day.
The public movement is her pride, an organization known for its work not only in Ukraine but also globally. On numerous occasions, at international conferences and at the United Nations, Tetiana has shared the organization's experience as one of the best in Ukraine. The organization has authority and reliable support from international partner organizations and local authorities; it is a regional representative of the Ukrainian Women's Fund and is part of the National Council of Women of Ukraine, the National Gender Platform, and the Women's Union of Ukraine.
This year, the Public Movement celebrates its 28th anniversary. During this time, numerous pilot programs and projects have been implemented. The team of like-minded individuals has substantial experience in preventing HIV infection among various population groups, protecting their rights, care, and support. The Public Movement has been repeatedly commended by regional and city leadership, at the national level, by international agencies, and UN departments. For 5 years, it has coordinated the activities of the All-Ukrainian NGO Network to Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. Tetiana actively participates in the work of the Coalition "Child Rights in Ukraine," develops recommendations, engages in research, and proposes changes to legislation regarding the protection of the rights of children and women.
With her participation and initiative, the rehabilitation center "Sofia" for girls and women who have suffered from violence has been operating in Odessa for over 20 years.
In 2016, in partnership with the mayor of Odessa, the Correction Center for Aggressive Behavior for individuals committing domestic violence was created and is operational; the Child Interview Center, including sexual violence; the free space for women NGOs "Free," and the Center for the Rescue of Rescued, along with 23 mobile teams providing assistance to victims of domestic and gender-based violence.
Tetyana Yevgeniivna is one of the authors of methodological manuals such as "Work of Correction Centers for Aggressors" and "Gender-Based Violence. What Is It?" She has also contributed to brochures for civil servants and the police, such as "A Child Is Not a Commodity," aimed at protecting children from exploitation and begging. She serves as the editor of the organization's periodic newspaper "Here and Now."
An active and purposeful woman, Tetyana is a happy mother who has raised and educated two children: her son Yevgen and daughter Nina, both of whom are public figures.
The "Faith, Hope, Love" Public Movement is a civic organization that has become a true brand in Odessa and Ukraine. It is well-known not only nationally but also internationally.
It was initiated by a group of psychologists, lawyers, medical professionals, and volunteers. At that time, the implementation of the first pilot project not only in Ukraine but also in post-Soviet countries began in Odessa. The project was based on the Harm Reduction Strategy – preventing HIV/AIDS among injection drug users. On March 26, 1997, the organization was officially registered with the regional Justice Department.
The organization primarily works with key groups, including internally displaced persons, war-affected individuals in Ukraine, drug users, people living with HIV, individuals in places of detention, anyone affected by human trafficking, children whose rights have been violated, children and youth engaging in risky behaviors, displaced persons, women who have experienced various forms of violence, representatives of the LGBTIQ+ community, people with disabilities, women leaders, heads of women's civic organizations, female deputies, and anyone seeking assistance.
On February 24, 2022, war broke out in Ukraine. By February 26, the "Faith, Hope, Love" team was already working with the first displaced persons and affected population. Everyone contributed in any way they could: crafting camouflage nets, preparing meals for the defense forces, purchasing medicines and hygiene products for the military and police, delivering humanitarian aid at checkpoints, and receiving humanitarian cargo from Moldova, France, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Germany. They also assisted women with children in relocating to European countries.
All of this was done amid the sounds of sirens and explosions. Many young people left the city, leaving the elderly alone with their own fear and pain. It was the lonely grandmothers and grandfathers who became the first beneficiaries, receiving assistance, food packages, and kind words of support and hope, reminding them that they are remembered.
The "Sofia" Center became a hub for humanitarian aid, as every week, around 10 tons of humanitarian aid arrived. It had to be unpacked, sorted, and prepared for distribution. At that time, no one cared about titles or specialties; everyone transformed into packers, loaders, and exclusively social workers.
The organization primarily works with key groups, including internally displaced persons, war-affected individuals in Ukraine, drug users, people living with HIV, individuals in places of detention, anyone affected by human trafficking, children whose rights have been violated, children and youth engaging in risky behaviors, displaced persons, women who have experienced various forms of violence, representatives of the LGBTIQ+ community, people with disabilities, women leaders, heads of women's civic organizations, female deputies, and anyone seeking assistance.
On February 24, 2022, war broke out in Ukraine. By February 26, the "Faith, Hope, Love" team was already working with the first displaced persons and affected population. Everyone contributed in any way they could: crafting camouflage nets, preparing meals for the defense forces, purchasing medicines and hygiene products for the military and police, delivering humanitarian aid at checkpoints, and receiving humanitarian cargo from Moldova, France, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Germany. They also assisted women with children in relocating to European countries.
All of this was done amid the sounds of sirens and explosions. Many young people left the city, leaving the elderly alone with their own fear and pain. It was the lonely grandmothers and grandfathers who became the first beneficiaries, receiving assistance, food packages, and kind words of support and hope, reminding them that they are remembered.
The "Sofia" Center became a hub for humanitarian aid, as every week, around 10 tons of humanitarian aid arrived. It had to be unpacked, sorted, and prepared for distribution. At that time, no one cared about titles or specialties; everyone transformed into packers, loaders, and exclusively social workers.
In 2022, the organization's staff distributed 33,526 food and 20,233 hygiene kits; issued 1,022 tons of humanitarian aid; provided financial assistance to 31,182 individuals; conducted 17,513 HIV/STI tests; carried out 2,123 targeted deliveries and 448 transports to the border; offered 2,562 individual psychological and 1,479 legal consultations; conducted 198 training sessions for vulnerable populations and 242 psychological support groups, with 8,415 individuals participating in educational training. At the "Sofia" Center, 356 women underwent rehabilitation and were able to start a new life free from violence. In total, over the past year, 87,144 residents of Ukraine received assistance, and more than 40 socially significant projects were implemented.
These numbers signify one thing: we are together, and our strength lies in unity, resilience, and an ardent belief in Ukraine's victory! We continue to believe, hope, and love, creating new chapters in a free and independent Ukraine.