VANCOUVER, 29 June 2023 – Ahead of the OSCE PA Annual Session in Vancouver (30 June – 4 July 2023), Special Representative on Gender Issues Hedy Fry (Canada) has published the 2023 Gender Report on “Understanding and Addressing the Gendered Consequences of the War in Ukraine.”
The report examines the gendered impacts of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, focusing on the humanitarian situation and gender-based and sexual violence. It explores the ways in which the international community has responded to conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine, with an emphasis on best practices and examples of gender-sensitive approaches. It also provides information regarding the gender balance within the OSCE PA and its International Secretariat, as well as in the OSCE participating States’ parliaments.
“I believe that we must take stock of what research and practice on preventing and addressing gender-based and sexual violence in armed conflicts have taught us over the past few decades and transfer this knowledge into concrete prevention and mitigation efforts in Ukraine,” said Special Representative Fry, who serves as Head of the Canadian Delegation to the OSCE PA. Dr. Fry has also authored a related draft resolution to be presented at the Vancouver Annual Session, entitled “The Gendered Consequences of Armed Conflicts.”
The report’s conclusions demonstrate that the war in Ukraine in many aspects represents a significant challenge for gender equality in Ukraine and in the OSCE region and calls upon OSCE participating States to incorporate intersectional gender perspectives into their humanitarian support for Ukrainians. The report highlights how women and girls who are in Ukraine, as well as those who have fled the war and are hosted in other countries, face specific challenges with regards to food security, economic hardship, and access to health care, including mental health services. To respond to these complex challenges, OSCE participating States must incorporate intersectional gender perspectives into their humanitarian support for Ukrainians.
The report also stresses that there are still important gaps in available gender-disaggregated data, which impacts governments’ ability to develop gender inclusive policies. The conclusions will be discussed during the Working Lunch on Gender Issues, on the sidelines of the Annual Session, which this year takes place under the theme “Strengthening Regional Security by Fostering Democratic and Inclusive Societies: The Role of the OSCE PA.”
To read the full version of Fry’s report on “Understanding and Addressing the Gendered Consequences of the War in Ukraine” in English and French, please click here.
More information about the work of the OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues is available here.
For more information on the OSCE PA's 30th Annual Session, which begins Friday in Vancouver, please click here.
