Ukraine (S/PV.7219)
In this meeting, UnderSecretaryGeneral for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman briefed member states on 18 July 2014 (S/PV.7219) on the situation in Ukraine immediately following the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The Council mentioned a letter that the Permanent Representative of Ukraine had written to the President of the Security Council (S/2014/136) in which the Representative requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council to address the deteriorating crisis in Ukraine.
The meeting mentioned protection of civilians as a whole, but not specifically women. Beyond that, the WPS agenda was not addressed.
The meeting missed numerous WPS opportunities, however, that it is somewhat understandable considering the urgent meeting was called to address the airplane downing. But considering this incident was part of the larger crisis unfolding in the Ukraine which has disproportionately been affecting women, WPS could have been considered.
Several missed opportunities include: women’s participation in the peace process as negotiators or mediators women’s participation in the political realm of women against sexual and genderbased violence reform that mainstreams gender and encourages survivors of SGBV to report crimes economic empowerment through vocational programs or reintegration processes postconflict.