New York, 27 February 2023 (TDI): Sima Bahous, the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director, discussed the plight of Ukrainian women at the session.
The war and the ongoing escalation between Russia and Ukraine, destroyed Ukraine’s civil infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, government buildings, and power plants.
The Ukrainian people endured immense suffering, especially the Ukrainian women and girls. She said UN Women pay tribute to women that shown exceptional dignity, resilience, leadership, and courage.
The violence that is targeting women is against human rights, it is a violation of international and humanitarian law.
The human rights violations that affected women need to be held accountable. According to UN data, at least 2,296 women and girls were killed, though actual numbers are likely significantly higher.
Of the 7.0 million people that fled to different countries 90 percent comprised women and children. Moreover, among internally displaced people (IDP), 68 percent of people are women.
The majority of women lost jobs, homes, and access to social services and protection. Around 7.8 million women and 2 million girls in Ukraine need humanitarian assistance.
Violence against Women
In the ongoing conflict women and girls face different kinds of threats and gender-based violence that include conflict-related sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, trafficking, and intimate partner violence.
Women and girls need immediate support to access prevention and response services. The responsive organizations were women-led civil society organizations.
In partnership with UN Women, these organizations continue to play important role in addressing the needs and doing preparation for post-war recovery.
The leadership role of women in this crisis is inevitable for the creation and maintenance of sustainable peace.
The provision and preservation of rights of women and gender equality are the priorities of the government of Ukraine.
She said UN Women is proud of its efforts for women’s rights that includes: the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women, and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention).
Also, an updated National Action Plan on UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security to reflect new wartime challenges including conflict-related sexual violence and trafficking, and the new State Strategy for ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men by 2030.
