Debate: The impact of the war against Ukraine on women
Date: THURSDAY, 5 MAY 2022
Speaker: Ylva Johansson
Language: EN

Rape is a crime against women, a war crime, a crime against humanity. So I welcome the resolution of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality condemning sexual violence.  You ask, how can we investigate these crimes? I say we must leave no stone unturned to punish the perpetrators. The EU supports investigations by the Ukrainian authorities, by the Member States and the International Criminal Court. Eurojust has opened a case and supports a Joint Investigation team together with Ukraine. We propose to boost Eurojust’s capabilities to handle evidence of war crimes.  You ask, how can we support victims of rape? I say, we must do everything in our power to help the victims. Can you just imagine the trauma? Russian soldiers come into your yard. They kill your husband who tries to protect you and they rape you one after the other. They invade your country. They invade your home. They invade your body.  The Temporary Protection Directive is very clear. Member States need to provide medical help, also psychological help. And can you imagine you are pregnant by your rapist? Like nine out of the 25 women systematically raped in a basement in Bucha. Let me tell you something I feel very strongly about: women who suffered rape and sexual violence need to have access to safe abortion and sexual and reproductive health treatments immediately and unconditionally, and any other specialised care they need. That is what I call standing with Ukrainian women. With Member States, we will donate emergency contraception pills. Civil society organisations are doing a fantastic job helping these women, and they deserve our thanks and support. Yesterday I had an opportunity to discuss exactly this issue, the topic of how to support women victims of rape in Ukraine, with Olha Stefanishyna, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, and we are discussing how we can also join efforts in this aspect.  You also ask, what are we doing to prevent and fight trafficking of women and children? I raised this issue from the first day of the war. A few weeks ago, I presented to this House the decisive action that we are taking. Europol has set up a special task force, and yesterday, together with the EU anti—trafficking coordinator Diane Schmitt, I presented the EU Common Anti—Trafficking Plan to the Solidarity Platform where we coordinate efforts to help refugees. Next week, the Solidarity Platform will endorse this plan to raise awareness, to boost prevention, investigation, prosecution, early identification, and support to victims.  You ask, how do we support women once they are safe in Europe? I say by putting in practice the Temporary Protection Directive, helping women with health care and housing and schools and with jobs, by helping with child care as outlined in the Child Guarantee and the Strategy on the Rights of the Child. And with the new EU Talent Pool pilot initiative to match women’s qualifications and skills with employers across Europe.  Honourable Members, when I think of the women of Ukraine, I think of the old lady who, on the first day of the war, walked up to a Russian soldier twice her size. She gave him some sunflower seeds and said: ‘put these in your pockets so they will grow where you die’. Let her strength inspire us to do everything we can to support the amazing women of Ukraine.