Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ‘a war on women’s rights,’ EU leader tells Parliament – National | 24CA News
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday paid tribute to the ladies of Ukraine who’re preventing in opposition to Russia and decried the sexual violence broadly attributed to Moscow’s forces, calling the invasion “a war on women’s rights.”
Speaking to a joint session of Parliament on the eve of International Women’s Day, von der Leyen highlighted that ladies, who had been as soon as barred from becoming a member of Ukraine’s armed forces, “broke the doors down” and “smashed the glass ceiling right over the head of their Russian invaders” to struggle for his or her nation.
“These women are an inspiration for all of us,” she mentioned, receiving certainly one of a number of standing ovations from MPs and senators.
Von der Leyen recalled her go to to Bucha, Ukraine, the positioning of atrocities in opposition to civilians believed to have been carried out by Russian troops, shortly after its liberation final April and the tales of “rape and executions in cold blood.”
“The United Nations says Russia is using rape and sexual violence as part of its military strategy in Ukraine,” she mentioned.
“This is not only a war on Ukraine. It is also a war on human rights and it is a war on women’s rights.”
The United Nations says it has verified the killing of a minimum of 2,296 girls and ladies because the begin of Russia’s invasion over a 12 months in the past, including the true quantity is “likely significantly higher.”
Nearly 70 per cent of Ukrainians displaced by the struggle who stay within the nation are girls, it provides, placing them at larger danger of sexual violence, human trafficking and different types of gender-based violence.
Von der Leyen devoted the higher a part of her 30-minute speech to the scenario in Ukraine, emphasizing Canadian and European co-operation and the dedication to assist that nation struggle off its invaders “for as long as it takes.”
“We will never accept that a military power with fantasies of empire rolled their tanks across an international border,” she mentioned.
“We will never accept this threat to European security and to the very foundation of our international community. And I know that Canada’s commitment is just as adamant as ours.”
She additionally thanked Canada for its management in offering army coaching to Ukrainian fighters beneath Operation Unifier, which relies in Europe, and its continued assist.
Von der Leyen, who’s the primary girl elected to be president of the European Commission, concluded her remarks by calling for additional motion on gender equality.
She mentioned Canada and the European Union have proven the world the advantages of gender-balanced authorities on resolution making, however added extra must be executed.
“We have a duty to set an example to society and the economy of what a world of fair chances looks like,” she mentioned.
Earlier within the day at an occasion with von der Leyen in Kingston, Ont., Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned Canada will prolong the Operation Unifier mission to supply engineering coaching in Ukraine till a minimum of October, and Canadian medical trainers might be despatched to assist Ukrainian forces with fight medical abilities.
Trudeau introduced that Ottawa will even spend $3 million to assist the clearing of landmines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine, on prime of $32 million that was already dedicated towards mine motion. The European Union is placing 43 million euros towards the identical effort.
The EU has now designated Canada as a associate nation on financial sanctions in opposition to Russia, and the 2 are working collectively to ship Canadian power transformers to assist the Ukrainian electrical grid, seven of which can quickly be delivered.
The two leaders additionally met with Canadian Armed Forces personnel at CFB Kingston who’ve deployed to Poland to assist Ukrainian refugees.
“For as long as it takes, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with our European partners for Ukraine,” Trudeau mentioned.
Von der Leyen is ready to fulfill with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon on Wednesday morning.
— with information from the Canadian Press
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