Ukraine: Need to Protect Girls Suffering from Russian Invasion, according to aid organizations

There is a “vital need” to protect women and girls suffering from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, humanitarian organizations warn today.

The majority of the 1.7 million people who have left Ukraine are women and children.

Conflict, crisis and displacement put women at increased risk of sexual and physical violence and abuse, the Disaster Management Committee (DEC) said.

This warning is being made today on International Women’s Day and as the women who are expected to give birth in the next three months in Ukraine are estimated at 80,000.

These include many who will not be able to receive the necessary health care for childbirth and this could make it a life-threatening experience, according to the UN Population Fund.

Susie Madigan, Care International’s senior humanitarian adviser on gender and protection, noted that “the conflict in Ukraine and the resulting displacement is tearing families apart, leaving women and children struggling to find safety exposed and vulnerable.”

“Women fleeing disasters everywhere face the real risk of gender-based violence and abuse when they are forced to flee their homes,” she added.

“If you start to depend on others for the basic needs of survival, exploitation becomes a real threat,” he said.

Care International is among 15 DEC-based aid organizations based in the UK and active in Ukraine and neighboring countries to step up efforts to address the growing humanitarian need posed by this situation, which the UN has described as growing refugee crisis in Europe after World War II.

The DEC, which provides food and shelter for women and families, shelter, drinking water, sanitation, healthcare and child-friendly areas, as well as psychosocial support, including post-traumatic counseling, has so far raised more than 100 100 million (approximately 120 120 million). million) in its Humanitarian Appeal for Ukraine.

“It breaks your heart to think about the situation faced by women and children who have fled their homes, fearing for their lives, many of whom are leaving behind family members, about whom they will be desperately worried,” said Rebecca Front. The British Red Cross actress and supporter called on the public to support her, noting that “donations to the DEC will ensure that aid reaches those in need, quickly”.

Alexandra Parnbjork, Plan International’s gender emergency consultant, noted that the majority of women in childbirth in the world occur during humanitarian crises.

“In these situations, women and girls know what they want and need,” she said, adding that “we need to work with them to ensure that they have access to adequate health care and are protected from sexual and gender-based violence.”

Huge numbers of women, children and young people reach Ukraine’s borders with Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, carrying with them only what they can carry.

“There is deeply worrying information about racism against colored refugees, including mothers with babies who are forced to wait longer in sub-zero temperatures without accommodation, and information about young female students trapped at the border for several days without accommodation and toilets.” also said ActionAid UK humanitarian adviser Niki Ignatiou.

“Women and girls arriving at the border urgently need food, water, shelter and basic necessities such as soap, menstrual products and underwear,” she said. “Psychological support and safe places to prevent gender-based violence will “It’s also vital in the coming weeks.”

The DEC also faces a number of ongoing humanitarian crises around the world that put women and children at risk.

Funds raised from previous and ongoing DEC appeals are still available in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Rohingya refugee camps, as well as vulnerable communities affected by the new coronavirus.

SOURCE: AMPE