Appeal to the institutions of the European Union, the United Nations, political leaders of China, the USA, Turkey, Israel, Germany, France, and Hungary to protect women and children from Russian aggression in Ukraine

We, women and men from all over the world, many of whom have lived through war, call on you to protect the women and children of Ukraine from Russian military aggression, including from gender-based violence.

On 24 February 2022, Russia started a comprehensive invasion of the sovereign territory of Ukraine, destroying cities and killing civilians. As in every war, women lose their safety networks and become vulnerable and the chaos of war offers plenty of opportunities for gender-based violence. Since its invasion, Russia has been using rape as a war weapon. The whole world is mourning from shocking images of tortured civilians in Bucha and other towns near Kyiv many of whom have traces of rape and sexual violence. Captured Ukrainian women soldiers experienced inhuman treatment by Russian army, were forced to get naked and were interrogated. Ukrainian women report attempts of the sex trade and human trafficking near the borders of the EU countries accepting refugees. The war has led to the tragedy of broken families, lost and injured family members putting an additional burden on women as caregivers.

We offer the following concrete steps to mitigate the consequences of war on women and children who suffered from Russian aggression: 

1. Ensuring protection of women and girls in the war zones from rape and sexual violence as well as providing victim advocacy and protection to rape survivors. 

2. Creating structures and mechanisms to investigate allegations, address the harm done to the victims, and seek accountability of those responsible for that harm. Ensure cooperation between countries that have the necessary expertise in tackling rape and gender violence in conflict. 

3. Protecting Ukrainian women and children refugees from human trafficking in the accepting EU and non-EU countries; investigating existing cases and bringing to justice the involved organizations and individuals. 

4. Demanding meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding efforts from both sides and at all levels, particularly in decision making as well as the full and overarching implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women and peace and security. 

5. Ensuring that post-war reconstruction in Ukraine takes place in a participatory manner, taking into account gender perspectives, voices, and particular needs of women and children. 

Ukrainian people have shown tremendous courage and resistance in defending their country, as well as support and solidarity with war victims and displaced people. We thank the EU countries for providing asulum and humanitarian support to Ukrainian citizens seeking security from war. However, we need more efforts from the democratic community to protect Ukraine from Russia’s military aggression. We call the world leaders to address and investigate the war crimes against women, children, and the people of Ukraine.