The 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), dedicated to a gender-sensitive approach to post-war reconstruction in Ukraine, took place at UN Headquarters in New York.
In particular, on March 10, a panel hosted entitled "Building Back Better: Gender-Sensitive and Inclusive Post-War Recovery in Ukraine" was organized by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations in cooperation with UN Women.
The event brought together representatives of international organizations, governments of European countries, Canada, Japan and the United States, who expressed their support for gender-sensitive reconstruction in Ukraine. The meeting was moderated by Marta Kebalo, Chief Representative of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUWO) to the UN. She emphasized that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has disproportionately affected women and girls, making gender-sensitive reconstruction an urgent necessity.
"As we gather here at the United Nations, Ukraine continues to fight not only for its sovereignty, but also for the right to rebuild a just, inclusive and sustainable society," said Kebalo in her opening remarks. вступній промові Кебало.
Government Commissioner for Gender Policy Kateryna Levchenko spoke on behalf of the Government of Ukraine. She emphasizedthat Ukrainian women today are not only experiencing the consequences of war, but are also becoming the driving force behind the country's recovery. She also called on the international community to recognize Russia's war crimes, including sexual violence, as a weapon of war and to support the initiative to put Russia on the UN's "list of shame".
The Ukrainian delegation also included representatives of the NGO "Let's Go Sisters", the NGO "Territory of Women" and the co-founder of the NGO "Woman Can", Executive Director of the ICF "Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health" Halyna Skipalska.
"As a member of the government delegation, I am here to represent the voices of Ukrainian women and to highlight the issues that are vital for our society... We are here to remind the world that the war in Ukraine continues, and its consequences for women are no less devastating than for the country as a whole. But Ukrainian women are the ones who are rebuilding, protecting, supporting and changing. The world must understand that without a gender-sensitive approach, it is impossible to develop an effective strategy for the reconstruction of Ukraine," said Galyna Skipalska.
Participants also called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, and Olga Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, emphasized in her video message the critical role of women in building a sustainable and just future. Natalia Karbovska, Director of Strategic Development at the Ukrainian Women's Fund, also delivered an important speech, emphasizing that Ukraine's greatest resource is its people and telling stories of women who, even on the front lines, find the strength to help and support others.
In general, the participants discussed the need to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women in the post-war reconstruction process and considered ways to actively participate in the political, social and economic life of the country.
Representatives of the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Japan, Norway and France expressed their readiness to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the position of Ukrainian women in the socio-economic and political spheres. The representative of Japan emphasized that Ukrainian women demonstrated strength and resilience that the international community admired, while Sweden noted the active participation of women in the country's reconstruction.
Also on March 13, the Rockefeller Foundation hosted another important CSW69 event - the CSW69 Road to Rome meeting: Gender Alliance for Ukraine Recovery Conference Planning Meeting.
During the event, Irena Yarosevych, WFUWO Chief Representative to the UN Department of Global Communications, highlighted the importance of involving Ukrainian women in the diaspora in the country's reconstruction process. She stressed the need to create an effective virtual network that will attract women who are willing to help Ukraine but are unable to return. Yarosevich stressed that millions of Ukrainian women abroad have acquired unique knowledge, language skills and professional experience that can be an invaluable resource for Ukraine's recovery.
In addition, a meeting of the Ukrainian government delegation with members of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) was held in New York on 15 March. Participants discussed the role of Ukrainian women in preserving and rebuilding the nation and heard a report from delegates on the outcome of the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The event featured an exclusive interview with Ukrainian women defenders, which was a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of Ukrainian women in the fight for the future of their country.
Author: Inna Mikhno