AI denounces the serious risks faced by women in Ukraine: "They suffer the worst consequences"

Asks the international community to support and show solidarity with women who "suffer the violation of their rights in the midst of war"

MADRID, 8 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The NGO Amnesty International (AI) has denounced this Wednesday the "serious risks" faced by women in Ukraine after a year of invasion by Russia and has indicated that they are the ones who "suffer the worst consequences of the brutality of war".

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the organization has warned of the "detrimental effects on the mental, physical, sexual and reproductive health of women" and has thus expressed its "concern" about the level of sexual and gender violence that exercised against them in the context of the conflict.

In this sense, it has stressed in a statement the importance of women playing a "proactive role" in decision-making processes given that they suffer an "additional burden of responsibilities in war zones."

"Women are permanently on the front lines of the conflict, as soldiers and combatants, doctors and nurses, volunteers, peace activists, caregivers of their communities and families, internally displaced persons, refugees and, all too often, victims and survivors," she said. affirmed the general secretary of Amnesty International, Agnès Callamard.

Likewise, it has affirmed that the invasion of Ukraine "is not an exception" and has warned that women "are at greater risk of suffering sexual and gender violence, as well as serious health problems". "They are forced to make life and death decisions for their families and, at the same time, they are often excluded from decision-making processes."

The NGO has urged the international community to support and show solidarity with women who are suffering Human Rights violations during the war. "The perpetrators of violations of International Law must be held accountable," says the document, which denounces the commission of war crimes on the ground.

Amnesty has lamented that, in most cases, women "continue to have the responsibility of caring for their children and other family members, something that is disproportionate."

"The men (of the family) have gone to war, the women have been left alone, many with young children in their care, without any income. There is no help, neither material nor financial. I returned to the danger zone with my children. Maybe I did wrong. But I had to take care of my children and my elderly parents... It is my obligation. They have no one to take care of them except me. I have no choice", explained Tamara, a woman who lives in Donetsk province, in the area occupied by Russian troops in eastern Ukraine.

The organization has indicated that the invasion is having detrimental effects on the mental, physical, sexual and reproductive health of women and has warned that "Russia's constant attacks against critical civilian infrastructure constitute war crimes that have seriously undermined the possibilities of access to health care for those living in Ukraine".

In addition, limited supplies and high prices for menstruation items needed by women and girls force them to choose between food and sanitary products.

Yulia, whose home was destroyed by Russian airstrikes, told Amnesty that she had obtained personal hygiene items for herself and her daughter at a support center for internally displaced people.

On the other hand, gender violence has increased and worsened for those who live in the areas most affected by the attacks, where "a lack of security predominates, the absence or decline of the rule of law, the general nature of impunity for perpetrators and lack of trust in the occupation authorities, as well as the stigma attached to revealing experiences of sexual and gender-based violence".

"Sexual abuse is a serious problem for women. I received training and they told us that there were cases in which the boys and girls, after the evacuation, showed signs of having suffered sexual abuse," said Maryna, a humanitarian worker in the area. .

Maryna has explained that when she was working with internally displaced people, she witnessed several increases in domestic violence. "There were 60 people living in a gym. I had already worked with these types of cases, but even without my experience (these signs of violence) can be seen with the naked eye. I saw many there," she said.

The document delves into the importance of women being able to "proactively" participate in decision-making processes at all levels to ensure that laws, policies and practices reflect and meet their specific perspectives and needs.

"As the invasion enters its second year, boys and girls are spending their educational period in the midst of a brutal invasion, while women must face a difficult and dangerous journey to safety and at the same time shoulder an additional burden of care", the organization pointed out, asking the international community to make an effort to "guarantee meaningful participation in decision-making processes".

This includes, as explained by the NGO, "international discussions on economic support, reparations and reconstruction initiatives, provision of humanitarian aid and access to justice for victims and survivors of the Russian war."

"Only through the inclusion of women at all levels can we guarantee that women's needs are prioritized and met in a sustained manner, and that women's rights are respected and protected," she concluded.