Den 24 februari 2022 inledde Ryssland en fullskalig militär invasion av Ukraina. Denna text är skriven av IKFF:s internationella sekretariat. Du hittar den på deras hemsida här. Längst ner finns tips på mer läsning.
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. Today marks a full year of catastrophic events laid bare in the country; thousands of civilians have been killed and millions of people have been forced to flee their homes. Up to this day, two important questions still remain unanswered: When will it end and will justice ever be served?
The escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, as a result of the illegitimate and unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine and its people, has resulted in multiple violent outbreaks, including gender-based abuses. Gender-based violence, such as domestic violence, conflict-related sexual violence, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation, has increased as a consequence.
Since the conflict in Ukraine began, one year ago from now, WILPF has worked with Ukrainian women activists to call attention to the hardships they are facing. This has helped to elevate their voices, experiences, expertises, and demands for change and peaceful resolution to the conflict. Women activists play a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance on the ground, yet their voices have been largely excluded from the formal peace processes.
In spite of being disproportionately affected by the conflict, women in Ukraine have shown outstanding leadership and courage in supporting and assisting those in need, while they continue to work tirelessly to create conditions for women’s participation in peacebuilding.
The greatest act of resistance for the Ukrainian people is surviving the Russian government’s imperialist war, as every individual killed is a victory for the war machine. We must not forget that Russian missile attacks directed at civilians are war crimes, and they should continue to be referred to as such. The Russian government was not only waging an aggressive war, but it was also waging it in the most brutal manner possible. And these offences will not stop in Ukraine.
During this year, we have also witnessed Ukrainians’ unwavering resistance and solidarity. Not only are they surviving the war, but they are firmly standing up to it; they are organising in their communities to help each other, providing shelter and food for internally displaced individuals; they are documenting the war crimes and the displacement they have experienced; they engage in non-violent resistance by altering street signs or encircling tanks to oppose the war machine. There have also been a number of Ukrainians who have taken up weapons, both men and women. Some chose to do so voluntarily, and some were forced to do so.
“A year of war is one year too long.”
There can no longer be a continuation of this cataclysm. A year of war is one year too long. The moment to put a stop to it is now. WILPF is committed to amplifying voices for peace, in Ukraine and around the world, and ensuring there will be “No more wars! Not now, never again!”
For more information about WILPF’s efforts and stand on Ukraine, you can visit our Ukraine Resource Page.
You may also check out the Russia, Ukraine and Nuclear Dangers resource page on nuclear weapons and current nuclear threats and risks, which includes key messages for talking with media or friends and family; an FAQ for details; links to resources that you can share to spread the word about the dangers of nuclear weapons; and ideas for how you can get engaged in the work to abolish nuclear weapons and prevent nuclear catastrophes.
To learn more, read our articles:
- Commodifying War: The Political Economy of Disaster Capitalism in Ukraine and Beyond
- Holding Onto Nonviolence and Feminism in the Midst of War
- Don’t Normalise Nuclear Weapons and War— Abolish Them
- F*** you and your world order! Voices for peace, freedom, and solidarity
- Weapons will not save us
- End war, build peace
- Militarism Cannot Prevent War: An urgent call for de-escalation, demilitarisation, and disarmament in relation to Ukraine and beyond
- “War “Over” Ukraine – Militarism is Killing Us All,” writes WILPF Secretary-General in an open letter to the UNSC
And open letters and statements:
- Open Letter to Fridays for Future on the Crisis in Ukraine and its Threats to the Planet and People
- HRC40: Statement on Human Rights Are Key to Economic Reforms
- HRC37: Statement on the UPR of Ukraine
- WILPF Call on European Governments to De-Escalate Conflict in Ukraine
- Open Letter to the United Nations Security Council
- WILPF Open Letter to the UN Security Council on Ukraine
- Submission on the Impact of Economic Reform Policies on Women’s Rights
- Joint Submission to CESCR for the Review of Ukraine
- Joint Submission to the CEDAW Committee Pre-session on Ukraine
