What is Ukrainan war is not just a war of men shooting men, its definitely a war slaving and hurting women

24 September, 2023 marks one and half years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Over the past twelve months, the conflict has inflicted untold suffering on the Ukrainian people, with thousands of lives claimed, millions displaced and crucial civilian infrastructure decimated. 

From heightened trafficking and gender-based violence to the loss of crucial livelihoods and rising poverty levels, women and girls of Ukraine are facing severe impacts. The large-scale destruction of infrastructure has left survivor services, healthcare and other critical forms of support out of reach for many. 

Today, protecting civilians and providing aid to the nearly 18 million Ukrainians in need must remain top priorities. Human rights abuses—such as acts of sexual violence, which have skyrocketed—must be investigated and justice served to survivors. 

As women continue to bear different and additional burdens of conflict, they must be represented in all decision-making platforms on de-escalation, conflict prevention, mitigation and other processes in pursuit of peace and security for all the people of Ukraine. 

Reports of women being subjected to abuse and violence during times of conflict are unfortunately not uncommon, and the situation in Ukraine is no exception. The conflict in Eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donbas region, has resulted in a range of human rights abuses, including violence against women. Here are some aspects to consider:

1. Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: During armed conflicts, women and girls can be particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, including rape, sexual slavery, and forced prostitution. These acts are often used as tools of intimidation, control, and humiliation. Reports have indicated instances of conflict-related sexual violence in the context of the Ukraine conflict.
2. Displacement and Vulnerability: The conflict has led to significant displacement of civilians, including women and children. Displacement can exacerbate vulnerability to various forms of abuse due to the disruption of social support networks, loss of homes, and limited access to basic services.
3. Human Trafficking: Conflict zones can create conditions conducive to human trafficking, including trafficking for sexual exploitation. Women and girls may be coerced, deceived, or forced into trafficking situations under the guise of seeking safety or opportunities.
4. Psychological Impact: Beyond physical harm, conflict-related violence and abuse can have severe psychological and emotional consequences for women. The fear of violence can limit their mobility and hinder their ability to access essential resources.
5. Lack of Protection: In conflict zones, there may be a breakdown of law enforcement and security structures, leaving women with inadequate protection. This can lead to a climate of impunity for perpetrators.
6. International Response: The international community, including organizations like the United Nations, has highlighted the importance of addressing gender-based violence in conflict situations. Efforts are made to provide support and protection to survivors, as well as to hold perpetrators accountable.
7. Efforts to Combat Violence: Various local and international organizations, as well as governments, work to address violence against women in conflict settings. This includes providing medical, psychological, and legal support to survivors, raising awareness, and advocating for policy changes to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

In June 2022 the Council of Europe issued a series of NGO grants to protect and promote women’s and girls’ rights, tailored to the context of armed conflict and the specific vulnerabilities of women and girls.

“La Strada-Ukraine” will implement activities aimed at reinforcing the response to violence against women in conflict through assessment of data collected from hotlines and activities throughout Ukraine. The project will also train police, prosecutors and judges to respond to wartime violence against women and raise public awareness on the way forward following ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the rights of victims and the services available during the war.

Activities under the Public Movement “Faith, Hope, Love” are aimed at raising awareness and informing the general public about registering cases of domestic violence, preventing human trafficking and assistance available in the Odesa region and border areas. The project further plans social, psychological and legal support for internally displaced persons.

The Ukrainian women lawyers’ association “JurFem” will raise awareness on the issue of domestic violence and violence against women in Ukraine and on implementation of the Istanbul Convention. The grant will allow JurFem to extend their work to analyse the occurrence of wartime violence against women in Ukraine and the response by law enforcement and the judiciary.

The Centre “Women’s Perspectives” in Lviv will undertake activities to improve access to justice and services for internally displaced victims of domestic violence by increasing the knowledge and skills of psychologists, volunteers and shelters staff in identifying and providing assistance for women and children on the move, and ensuring prevention and effective response to domestic violence in IDP shelters.

These NGO Grants to protect and promote women’s human rights in the context of armed conflict are provided under the “Combatting Violence against Women in Ukraine” (COVAW) project, funded through the Council of Europe’s Ukraine Action Plan.

We need to be active, we need to be alert what is happening around us.

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