Statement by the delegation of Ukraine on Ministerial level UNSC debate Advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda through partnerships
Madame President,
While my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the EU, I would like to make this statement in my national capacity. I would like to thank all those delegations, who expressed solidarity and support for the women and girls in Ukraine during the most difficult times of war waged by Russia. Ukraine was a member of the UN Security Council when the WPS resolution was adopted in October 2000.
Even against the backdrop of the war Ukraine remains committed to further promoting the WPS agenda according to the second National Action Plan for Res 1325 for the years 2021-2025. In this context, Ukraine has made notable headway in establishing procedures to enhance partnerships between government and civil society. Over these years, Ukraine’s government cultivated supportive relations with a flourishing population of young women entrepreneurs in the private sector and with various vibrant civil society initiatives.
All-out Russian invasion of Ukraine, including from the territory of Belarus, has change our lives dramatically and women and children are among the most vulnerable. Up to 2 million refugees, mostly women and children, have fled from Ukraine to seek safety. Every day women and children lose their lives from Russian bullets, shells, bombs and missiles.
As of now at least 41 children were killed by Russian occupiers. In the towns and villages, occupied or besieged by the Russian troops, sufferings have already reached their height. The critical situation in Mariupol, Volnovakha, Irpin, Bucha, Vorzel and many others should be the subject of immediate attention and action by the world leaders, the UN humanitarian branch, the ICRC.
Civilians, mostly women and children have been effectively taken hostage. They are not allowed to leave and the humanitarian aid is not let in. If they try to leave Russians open fire and kill them. They are running out of food and water and they die. Yesterday in Mariupol a six-year-old girl died of dehydration. She was alone in the last moments of her life as her mother was killed by Russian shelling earlier. In Mykolayiv region, the Russian occupiers fired at a van with a group of female teachers of the local orphanage. Three of them were killed.
There are cases of sexual violence committed by occupiers. All arrangements on humanitarian corridors are being undermined by Russians. For instance, in Mariupol, the Ukrainian forces removed mines and roadblocks to ensure evacuation on previously agreed route. The Russian forces immediately shelled and attempted to attack through this route. All above constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. The justice will be served sooner or later in relation to all, who ordered, committed and whitewashed the crimes.
Madame President,
Economic inclusion of Ukrainian women who have been forced out of their homes is another important task. We are heartened by the fact that countries hosting our refugees are creating a legal framework that will allow the refugees access to social benefits and permit them to work and earn money to keep their families. With regard to women’s meaningful participation in the decision-making, I must say that the war has again highlighted the role of Ukrainian women in defending their native soil from the Russian occupiers.
The Ukrainian women not only bravely cover the rear, but also often join ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Territorial Defence Forces. At the beginning of 2021, there were up to 57,000 women in Ukraine’s armed forces, comprising 22.8 percent of the total, according to the Ministry of Defence. The number of females in Ukraine's armed forces now is significantly higher. Today Ukrainian women show that they are not afraid to take up arms to defend their children and their land. This was not their choice until the Russian murderers decided to deprive their children of the future. It is now the common task for the entire international community to stop Russians from killing Ukrainian women and children and ensure the safe future for them.
I thank you.