How war affects the situation of women from national minorities

How does war affect the situation of women from national minorities?

“Multiple discrimination against women from national minorities multiplied by war” was the title of the discussion held as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The event was organized and conducted by Roma activists, together with the Public Council on Gender Issues at the Equal Opportunities International Charitable Organization;

The discussion was joined by representatives of the initiative groups – a well-known Roma activist Zemfira Kondur, a Roma mediator from Donetsk region who administers a shelter for Roma women and IDP Rada Kalandia, Roma mediator Valentyna Zolotarenko, coordinator of the Initiative Group of National Communities of Melitopol Liudmyla Afanasieva, and expert and coordinator of the Public Council on Gender Issues at the Equal Opportunities NGO Larysa Kobelyanska.

Representatives of women’s organisations discussed the complex challenges faced by women from national minorities since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The participants also shared stories of how women have acted in extraordinary circumstances and considered new priorities in the field of human rights, humanitarian response and recovery, as well as the needs of national minorities.

The consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine have had a serious impact on national minorities. Challenges such as the displacement of family members, problems with education in minority languages, and a general lack of state funding for programmes aimed at supporting national minorities have led to the destruction of their social fabric. After the end of the war, this will require a broad review of Ukrainian policies to ensure the rights of persons belonging to national minorities.

Opportunities for civil society organisations (CSOs) working with representatives of national minorities are becoming more limited.They face restrictions on influencing decision-making and addressing their needs in the context of the militarisation of governance and society.

Many members of national minorities moved across the country to escape potential occupation and found themselves among vulnerable groups in many ways. This is especially true for women, who, in addition to the systemic forms and manifestations of discrimination against them, faced more problems related to war, occupation, evacuation, needs arising in a new place, growing poverty, etc.

At present, the expansion of economic opportunities for representatives of national minorities among internally displaced persons is becoming critically important. IDPs find themselves in a more economically vulnerable position. They have somewhat limited opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment, and training programmes alone are no longer sufficient. In addition, policies to liberalise labour relations pose a risk of discrimination against certain groups (e.g. women) and violation of their labour rights.

Members of national minorities who remain in areas temporarily outside the control of the Government of Ukraine face an increased risk of violence and discrimination, including gender-based violence. Therefore, it is important to ensure an inclusive approach to the development of transitional justice policies in Ukraine.

NGOs that protect the interests of national minorities face difficulties in attracting support. They need long-term financial support from international donors. In addition, CSO representatives also face emotional burnout and need psychological support.

In the end, the panelists made recommendations for NGOs working with national minorities. Thus, the representatives of the initiative groups advise:

• Provide expert support to respond to emerging needs, especially in assisting IDPs who are victims of violence, including conflict-related sexual violence.
• Renew the focus on strengthening the economic capacity of representatives of ethnic groups, especially women, large families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. It is about mastering new professions and providing them with access to technical means. Access to new courses and vacancies, including remote jobs, should be ensured.
• Provide support to representatives of minority groups, including IDPs, in rebuilding their own businesses.
• Organise awareness-raising activities for representatives of national minorities on security issues (for example, the dangers that may be associated with such types of work as scrap metal collection during the war).
• Promote participation and leadership of representatives of minority organisations in decision-making.
• Support networking and coalition-building platforms that include both existing and newly established organisations to strengthen the influence of organisations representing national minorities.
• Provide simplified access to information about the humanitarian response and activities of CSOs and local authorities.
• Support opportunities for the direct involvement of representatives of national minorities in the activities of civil society organisations and local governments, which will help to emphasise the priorities of civil society.
• Conduct in-depth research into the capacity development needs of national minority representatives in the context of a full-scale war. Based on the results, revise the content of local programmes.
• Monitor access to education, healthcare and social services for representatives of national minorities, including IDPs, in the light of changes and new circumstances.

There is an ongoing need to empower Roma women to access family planning programmes, strengthen the protection of children’s rights and prevent teenage pregnancy, misappropriation of funds intended for child support, and discrimination by the police.

These challenges have existed before, but have now become even more acute due to the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The panelists unanimously agreed that the protection of women’s rights should be a daily and continuous effort, and concluded that the war has multiplied the already numerous problems faced by women from national minorities. Therefore, only the unity of representatives of all nations and peoples living in Ukraine will ensure Ukraine’s common victory.

Author: Larysa Kobelyanska