As the world pauses for International Women’s Day, Ukrainians are suffering from sexual violence

Bombs, missiles and air raid sirens. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described these actions as a “special military operation” designed to “de-Nazify Ukraine”.

When the air raid sirens were blarring Tamara* was left to her own devices. She said the war changed her as a mother and caregiver for her parents.

“All changed for the worse. Men [from the family] are at war, women are left alone, many with small children on their backs without any income. There is no help—no physical help, no financial aid,” she said.

Tamara, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, has been living in the Donetsk Oblast conflict zone.

She was forced to choose between abandoning her parents and keeping her children alive.

She decided to stay in Ukraine, and put her family at risk.

“I need to take care of my kids and my elderly parents [were] left at home—this is my duty. There is no one to take care of them but me. I have no choice,” she said. For many women, travelling to safety can carry a devastating emotional and physical toll,” she said.

Many Ukrainian women have joined the resistance to Russian aggression. But caregiving responsibilities for children and family members often fall disproportionately on women.

These responsibilities can be difficult in the perilous conditions of conflict.

Women continue to face grave risks as Russian’s full-scale aggression in Ukraine enters its second year, according to Amnesty International.

Agnès Callamard is the Secretary General at Amnesty International, who said the conflict is having a detrimental effect on women’s mental, physical and sexual and reproductive health.

“Time and time again, women bear the brunt of war’s brutality.

“Women confront increased sexual and gender-based violence and perilous health conditions, while being forced to make life and death survival decisions for their families,” Ms Callamard said.

War leads to an increase in gender-based violence

Gender-based violence is not a new phenomenon. Typically, it involves a lack of security; trust; and increased stigma attached to sharing experiences.

A 2019 study reported masculinity is “militarised and linked to violence” while women assume roles as the “heroic housewife, sacrificial mother and loving wife,” during political conflict.

Kateryna* was nine weeks pregnant when Russian tanks rolled across the border in February 2022.

“I did not know what would happen to us. There were rumours about evacuation and doctors leaving. I could not do the ultrasound and all the tests. There simply was no access. That was adding to the anxiety and emotional tension,” she said.

She said her husband’s aggression has led to more conflict at home.

The United Nations (UN) has reported school-aged girls at risk of being forced to drop out of school, and get married for dowry, or payment.

Sima Bahous is the UN Women Executive Director, who is seeking to push women’s and girls’ voice, agency and participation in conflict response.

“Systemic, gendered crises require systemic, gendered solutions. That means ensuring that women and girls, including from marginalized groups, are part of all the decision-making processes.

“That is simply the only way to be certain that their rights and needs are fully taken into account as we respond to the clear facts before us,” she said.

* names have been changed to protest identity.