In Focus: War in Ukraine is a crisis for women and girls

24 February, 2023 marks one year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Over the past twelve months, the conflict has inflicted untold suffering on the Ukrainian people, with thousands of lives claimed, millions displaced and crucial civilian infrastructure decimated.  

From heightened trafficking and gender-based violence to the loss of crucial livelihoods and rising poverty levels, women and girls of Ukraine are facing severe impacts. The large-scale destruction of infrastructure has left survivor services, healthcare and other critical forms of support out of reach for many.  

Today, protecting civilians and providing aid to the nearly 18 million Ukrainians in need must remain top priorities. Human rights abuses—such as acts of sexual violence, which have skyrocketed—must be investigated and justice served to survivors. 

As women continue to bear different and additional burdens of conflict, they must be represented in all decision-making platforms on de-escalation, conflict prevention, mitigation and other processes in pursuit of peace and security for all the people of Ukraine.