Executive director of Eurasian Harm Reduction Association uniting organizations and activists from 28 countries of CEECA. Ganna is a community advocacy and health programs expert. She is originally from Ukraine, holds a MA in Social Psychology and MA in Culture Studies and has authored numerous trainings, researches and publications.

In CEECA countries, criminalization of behaviors like substance use and possession, sex work, HIV transmission, and homosexual relations persists. The Rise & Decriminalize Movement (R&D) unites four communities (LGBTQI+, people who use drugs, women living with HIV, and sex workers) and 5 regional community networks (EHRA, ECOM, EWNA, SWAN, ENPUD) to bring together allies from out of the community bubble for collectively advocate for decriminalization, ensuring bodily autonomy, access to justice, freedom from legal restrictions, and access to comprehensive care. The R&D started with creating joint community narrative and arguments on decriminalization/regulation to unite a broader social and professional communities interested in decriminalization.
Joint advocacy in 2024 began by addressing the urgent crisis of shrinking space for civil society, notably in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia, which are increasingly affected by “foreign agents” laws and rising criminalization of communities (“anti-LGBT propaganda” and repression of sex workers). Concerned about the effects on communities, service provision, the HIV response, and human rights, the movement launched the Communique "Secure the Future: Civil Society and Human Rights Imperative for Public Health and HIV Response in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia". This calls for coordination among communities, civil society, experts, politicians, and stakeholders to protect civil society. The R&D has been vocal, presenting the Communique at 12 events, including the UNAIDS 54th Programme Coordinating Board meeting (June 2024) and a high-level side meeting at the 25th International AIDS Conference, reaching over 500 stakeholders.
This is just the start of ongoing engagement with stakeholders, including advocating for donor strategy changes that align with the security of service providers and communities. Collective advocacy across marginalized communities amplifies the movement's impact, despite the challenges of intersectionality. The next steps involve solidifying a common position across networks and expanding partnerships to sustain decriminalization efforts and protect civil society.