The ongoing war in Ukraine, waged by Russia, has left a profound mark on all aspects of Ukrainian society, but the specific gendered impacts often remain underexplored. To address this gap, the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) has launched the policy brief series titled Feminist Perspectives for Supporting Ukraine.
Photo: UN Women/Serhii Korovainyi via Flickr
GPPi’s Feminist Perspectives for Supporting Ukraine series offers feminist analyses of Russia’s war on Ukraine, highlighting ways international actors can support Ukraine through gender-transformative measures. Each policy brief addresses a specific war-induced social issue, providing feminist recommendations based on empirical research.
The series include 8 policy briefs focusing on issue areas like community-police relations, support from international organisations and political participation.
Two of the briefs focus more on the international support dimension of the war. Dr Kseniya Oksamytna and Dr Felicity Gray’s work examine how international organizations in Ukraine have incorporated gender-sensitive approaches, addressing the specific needs and vulnerabilities of various gender groups, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and survivors of violence. The brief recommends that international actors advocate for sustainable peace to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity, reducing the number of people under Russian occupation. It urges meaningful engagement with Ukrainian civil society as equal partners in shaping international aid priorities.
Niklas Balbon, on the other hand, highlights that Russia’s ongoing aggression has severely strained Ukraine’s already limited disability support system, with the war causing a sharp rise in the number of people with disabilities. He argues that despite these escalating needs, both the Ukrainian government and international actors have not provided adequate support for those with pre-existing or war-related disabilities. In his policy brief, Balbon calls for immediate short-term actions, including funding medical treatment, procuring assistive technologies, and preparing for winter, alongside long-term reforms to improve the system. He urges international actors to back political reforms, strengthen civil society organizations, and enhance education for disability experts.
To access all of the briefs and a more detailed read click here.