Debate: Situation of Ukrainian women refugees, including access to SRHR support
Date: TUESDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Helena Dalli
Language: EN

We strongly condemn such atrocities. There must be no impunity for the war crimes committed. By standing up for women’s rights and gender equality, we are defending and upholding a core value of the EU and a cross-cutting priority in its policy-making, both in internal and external action. The EU remains committed to promote global sexual and reproductive health and rights as an essential part of realising human rights. Our ambition is clearly set out in EU Gender Action Plan III and in the European Consensus on Development. Following the outbreak of the war last year, the Commission has taken immediate action to provide urgent support to survivors of sexual violence in Ukraine. A contract of EUR 1.5 million with the United Nations Population Fund was signed for a countrywide 12-month intervention to provide emergency assistance to women and girls in Ukraine, including survivors of gender-based violence with access to sexual and reproductive health response services. The EU is also working closely with Ukrainian authorities to guarantee the medical evacuation, when necessary, of women and girls, and to provide them with medical treatment. Moreover, the EU signed an agreement with the International Federation of the Red Cross to provide mental health and psychosocial support for Ukrainians, including in cases of-gender based violence. We supported Eurojust and the European Judicial Training Network to help prosecute war crimes committed in Ukraine, including rape and sexual violence. Support is also provided to mobile justice teams that support the work of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. The EU furthermore supports the work of women’s NGOs serving as first responders to victims of conflict-related sexual violence, including to prevent burnout and provide psychological assistance to their staff. Regarding the internal dimension, with the gender equality strategy we have committed to achieve a gender-equal Europe, where all women and girls are free from gender-based violence, sex discrimination and structural inequalities, and can lead and thrive. Under the Temporary Protection Directive, Member States shall provide necessary medical or other assistance to persons who have special needs, including victims of rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence. This assistance must include at least emergency care and essential treatment of illness. Member States are free to extend assistance and give the same coverage as to their nationals. But the coverage can differ among Member States, as according to the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, Union action shall respect the responsibilities of the Member States for the definition of their health policy and for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care. So the Member States have the legislative powers to decide the extension of the national package of health benefits to their citizens. More broadly, when exercising their competences, Member States must respect fundamental rights, which bind them by virtue of their national constitutions and commitments under international law. I recall that when Member States implement Union law, they must fully respect the provisions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, including Article 7 of the Charter on respect for private life. Within the sphere of its competence, the Commission is supporting civil society organisations working on gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health and rights under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme. In particular, the Commission has launched a dedicated call to the networks with which it has signed partnership agreements to provide support to victims of gender-based violence in the context of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Support to Ukrainian victims of conflict-related sexual violence is also a focus under the 2023 call for proposals under the Daphne Strand of the CERV. We also support regular exchanges of good practices between Member States and stakeholders on gender equality and health, including on sexual and reproductive health and rights. The proposal for a directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence foresees specific support for women at an increased risk of violence, including women fleeing from armed conflict.