Part 1- A plea from Women of Ukraine
“You have the power of your voice and actions”
It is Sunday morning March 6 here on the West Coast. The current time in Kyiv is 7:40 p.m. and in Moscow 8:40 p.m. I am losing track of the days of this seemingly endless ungodly war.
This morning’s NY Time reports that, “Police in Russia have taken 3,000 people into custody as protests against the invasion expand across the nation.” Images across the media of Ukrainian evacuees in the besieged port city of Mariupol killed by Russian forces is heartbreaking.
The BBC reports, “Russia is striking civilian targets in Ukraine, including hospitals, nurseries, and schools. The Ukrainian deputy prime minister Olha Stefanishyna told the BBC that, after ‘strong resistance’ from the Ukrainian army, there was an ‘enormous operation’ by Russia against civilians. She accused Russia of a ‘terroristic plan’, with attacks coming from the air and also by land.” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60638042
As the onslaught of the Russian invasion into Ukraine intensifies, the Ukrainian’s resistance is unshakeable.
I spent Friday morning (Pacific Standard Time) listening to Ukrainian women speaking for themselves and for the future of their country. This discussion took place between women from North American and European Union countries via ZOOM and by way of international United Nations NGO (non-governmental organizations) women’s groups. The “Women, Peace and Security in the Face of Russian Aggression: Perspectives from Ukraine” ZOOM event was hosted by Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, Democracy Development Center (DDC), and the NGO Commission on the Status of Women /NY.
According to the event sponsors “As Russia escalates its threats against Ukrainian sovereignty, in particular by deploying troops and declaring independence of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions on 21 February 2022, the recent aggravation of tensions within the international community has drawn new attention to the situation on the ground. Despite global coverage of the crisis, the Western mass media has overwhelmingly failed to offer platforms to the voices of the region’s most deeply affected communities: members of civil society, especially women and other vulnerable populations.”
The meeting gave a platform to hear directly from women peacebuilders and gender equality allies on the current situation in Ukraine.
Some of the Ukrainian women who spoke with us were calling in via ZOOM from Germany and are safe after evacuating from Ukraine. They are carrying on with helping others stay connected and other support efforts. One of the women, Mariya Tuzyk who spoke with us was speaking to us from Ukraine.
Following the Zoom meeting on Friday, I have been in email contact with Mariya Tuzyk. She lives in the town of Kopychyntsi, Ukraine where the population is 6,500. The Kopychyntsi Municipality (town plus villages) is a population of 13,500 people. Her husband is the mayor. In one email she mentions having to respond to an air raid siren.
I asked her what does she want to people to know and what can we all do to help?
Her response: “ Important actions: we are already seeing the need for immense humanitarian aid for our internally displaced persons, most of which are women and children. International development organizations need to start thinking of relief efforts to help Ukraine rebuild its infrastructure. We see a lot of people are already focusing on refugees, but we need much more focus on helping Ukrainians remain in Ukraine. Efforts to help us provide better living conditions and improve the capacity in western part of the nation, because many plan to return to Ukraine. Individuals can for example stop buying Russian goods and services. Companies can stop buying Russian goods and services.
We wish the world to know that this war will affect the entire world, it already has. Our nation is strong, united like never before. Our human potential is extraordinary, we are very driven to contribute to this world, all we need is our freedom.”
Other Ukrainian women who spoke with us on Friday were safe in Germany. Here are some of their presepectives.
“No one wants WW III. Cities have been blown up; people are dying twenty-eight children were killed just this morning.
We are just a shield for Europe.
Women are joining the Territorial Defense Units that are being formed in every city and town.
Ordinary people around the world in every country can take a stand against this nightmare of aggression that threatens the safety of our world, our children.
We need our skies free of having bombs coming from Belarus—another regime that now is involved.
Concerns of the Russian occupied nuclear stations that can bring harm to many other countries.
There are six Chernobyl’s together in one nuclear station
This is a big alarm for humankind”
Actions that they asked to be taken.:
“You all have voices, contact your own governments, share what is going on with your organizations. organizations,
More awareness and information of what is going on.
Remind the UN and our government officials that they have created resolutions which cover the actions of bombing a nuclear reactor as a weapon in this conflict.”
Protesters are marching past St Isaac’s Cathedral in St Petersburg chanting “No to War!” VIDEO on twitter:
Ukrainian soldiers bolstered defenses around Kyiv, digging trenches, blocking roads and liaising with civil-defense units as Russian forces bombarded the surrounding areas and attacked towns and villages nearby https://reut.rs/3sV1gcF
From Grozny to Aleppo to Ukraine, Russia meets resistance with more firepower
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60631433
General Assembly resolution demands end to Russian offensive in Ukraine (March 2, 2022)
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113152