Dear Women of the World!
Our country, Ukraine, is being subjected to an unjust and brutal aggression. Russia’s current aggression, ongoing for over a decade, threatens not only our homes and families, and our state sovereignty, but also the freedoms, independence, human dignity, rights, and liberties that we all value.
At this crucial point in the history of our country, we, the women of Ukraine, appeal to you, women of the world, with a sincere request and a call to action.
Today, we, the daughters and granddaughters of a generation of women’s rights activists are gathered at a forum to mark the 140th anniversary of the Ukrainian Women’s Movement. In recognition that the spirit of the women’s movement resides in each of us, we, participants of this forum, appeal to you, women of the world, to support Ukraine in our struggle against russian aggression, russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory, and its genocidal campaign against the Ukrainian people.
More than one hundred years ago, in 1919, when our foremothers faced Bolshevik-russian crimes and occupation, they similarly turned to their international contemporaries: “You, women and mothers…take this matter to your hearts. You, lucky ones…to you we entrust the lives of our people. What international covenant sanctioned this inhuman atrocity which forces a people 40 million strong to die…” (Excerpt from the proclamation dated 7 October 1919).
During these 140 years, the world fundamentally changed. Women have achieved gains in education, work, reproductive care, and freedom from abuse. Women are represented in governments and across all levels of decision-making, in the leadership of international organizations, in the spheres of science, culture and all aspects of public life.
You, women of the world, have the ability and influence to address the issues that determine the future of humanity and the direction of its development. You have the ability to stop the aggressor and end the war of aggression against the independent state of Ukraine.
Dear women, we call on you to:
- Protect the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine
We ask for your unwavering support for protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The freedom and independence of our country are inviolable. We need your voices, your advocacy and your influence to ensure that your countries recognize and support our right to exist as a free and independent nation.
- Support the provision of weapons and humanitarian aid
Our struggle is not only for Ukraine, but also for the values of democracy and justice that underpin global stability. The normalization of russian aggression is corroding the international security system and could lead to a new round of wars of aggression around the world. In order to stop the aggressor and prevent a global catastrophe, we urgently need weapons to defend our land, and humanitarian aid to support our people who are suffering in this war. Support your governments or encourage them to provide Ukraine with the resources it needs to win this battle for freedom.
- Demand the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilians in russian captivity, and Ukraine’s stolen children
We urge you to support our efforts to bring home the prisoners of war and civilian captives, including women who are being subjected to inhumane treatment in captivity. We call on you to demand the rescue and return of all children who were abducted and illegally taken out of Ukraine by the russian military. This is a violation of all international conventions and treaties and breach of any understanding of human rights and rules of war. We urge you to reach out to your governments and international organizations to demand justice and a cessation of this outrage.
- Put pressure on russia to stop its armed aggression
Your influence and decisive actions can force Russia to cease its attacks and withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s Crimea, and the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv regions. Russia must stop its flagrant violations of human rights, including abductions, robberies, torture, rape, and executions. Diplomatic and economic pressure should be applied continuously until Ukraine’s sovereignty is fully restored.We ask that you raise your voices and use all possible platforms to demand peace and justice for Ukraine.
- Condemn russian aggression
The invasion of Ukraine is a violation of international law and human rights. We call on you to join us in unequivocally condemning this aggression. Silence, neutrality, and mere expressions of concern only serve to encourage the aggressor. We need a united global voice speaking loudly against this injustice.
- Demand sanctions against russia
Sanctions are an important tool to hold russia accountable for its criminal actions. We urge you to support and promote sanctions that target russia’s economy, as well as its military and political leadership. These measures are necessary to weaken the aggressor’s ability to continue its war of aggression.
- Boycott russia and its propaganda
We urge you to boycott all channels – economic, cultural, educational – that promote or justify russia’s actions. By refusing to support or engage with these platforms, you isolate the aggressor and weaken its global influence in the world.
- Help Ukraine rebuild and recover
The war has brought enormous damage to our infrastructure, economy and environment. We ask you to join us in the ambitious task of rebuilding our country and restoring our homes, schools and hospitals, as well as our energy sector and environment. Together, we can help Ukraine rebuild and recover the resources that have been destroyed or illegally seized.
We, the women of Ukraine, remain steadfast in our struggle for freedom, justice and peace. But we cannot do it alone. We need the strong support and solidarity of women around the world.
Women of the world! We, the women of Ukraine, the daughters and granddaughters of the founders of the Ukrainian Women’s Movement, appeal to your hearts in sisterhood. Only by coming together can we ensure that justice will be done and a stable peace restored. Only in this way can we prevent russian totalitarianism and imperialism from further destroying the lives of other peoples and nations. It is only through a stable peace that we can let future generations live in a world where national sovereignty is respected and protected.
August 21, 2024, Kyiv