Two years after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a report published by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) reveals critical gaps in access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for women and girls fleeing conflict. Published on 21 February, the report examines the availability of specialised services within the EU under the Temporary Protection Directive.
According to the EIGE, despite the rapid implementation of the directive at the beginning of March 2022, offering immediate support to the millions of Ukrainian refugees, many victims of conflict-related sexual violence face considerable obstacles.
In 13 of the 26 Member States that took part in the survey, only certain sexual and reproductive health services are free of charge. What’s more, only half of these states offer unrestricted emergency contraception to minors and rape crisis centres.
Given this situation, the EIGE insists on the urgent need to implement the Istanbul Convention and the measures linked to the directive on combating violence against women. The Member States are also called upon to make provisions for the temporary protection of unaccompanied minors, to ensure that services are affordable and geographically accessible, and to set up victim support centres.
The report: https://aeur.eu/f/ayc (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)