Statement of Euromaidan SOS on the occasion of the International Women’s Day and the International Peace to the women of the world on the 8th of March 2022
Today we have war in Ukraine, in the heart of Europe!
As we know, the civilian population, especially women and children, is known to be overwhelmingly affected by armed conflicts, including refugees and internally displaced persons. Women and girls are becoming even more vulnerable to gender-based violence, including sexual violence during armed conflicts, and are often vulnerable to trafficking. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the civilian casualties as of March 6, 2022 were 1,207 people, including 406 deaths. According to confirmed UN figures, 77 men, 45 women, 8 boys and 4 girls have died, while the sex of 15 children and 257 adults has not yet been determined. Among the 801 injured were 11 girls and 2 boys, as well as 29 children, whose gender has not yet been determined.
Due to the actions of the Russian army in Kharkiv, Sumy, Mariupol, Bucha, Irpin and other cities, the situation in these regions is approaching a humanitarian catastrophe.
The requirements of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on ensuring the safety of women and girls during war and armed conflicts are grossly violated, including the bombing of civilian buildings and housing by the Russian side, shelling of humanitarian corridors and violations of evacuation agreements.
According to the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in Situations of Armed Conflict and the Post-Conflict Period, the States Parties in the conflict should take all measures to ensure full compliance with their obligations to protect, respect and fulfill women’s human rights during armed conflict.
Today, on March 8, International Women’s Day, Ukrainian women need global support and solidarity as never before. We call for an immediate end of the war, the withdrawal of Russian troops from all territories of Ukraine, the restoration of all destroyed infrastructure and compensation to the victims at the expense of the aggressor. But, meanwhile, the war is going on. That is why we call on the women of the world:
At the political and advocacy dimension, at all levels, insist on strengthening assistance to Ukraine through:
• Protection of Ukrainian cities from bombing by closing the skies over Ukraine or urgently providing effective air defenses, including provision of airplanes.
• Disconnection of the entire banking system of the Russian Federation from SWIFT system.
• Establishment of safe humanitarian corridors for evacuation of civilians from destroyed cities.
• Immediate strengthening of economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
