Continued Gender Gap in Ukraine Analysis Weakens Opportunities for Peace

Written by: Zainab Alam

As part of our ongoing work to address the root causes of conflict in militarized inequality, WILPF has recently supported Ukrainian women's action for peace in a variety of ways both in Geneva and New York. However, despite commitments on Women Peace and Security (WPS), analysis and action around the current Ukrainian conflict continues to be limited by gender blindness.

According to a 10 July 2014 UNHCR report, the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across Ukraine has now reached over 79,000, with the majority being women and children. Yet throughout the crisis situation in Ukraine, there has been limited attention given to women's security, their access to political and socio-economic processes (including health services, education and employment) or their power in decision-making processes. Since 15 April 2014, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has published three monthly reports on the human rights situation in Ukraine, each of which progressively witnesses a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country. However, the reports generally make limited gender references and all three reports lack gender sensitive recommendations.

WILPF calls on the the Security Council to address this implementation gap. Enhanced gender-sensitive analysis and action is critical to strengthen women's participation and rights in peace and conflict and ensure accountability on Security Council Resolution 1325 through 2122.