Russia is holding hundreds of Ukrainian women in captivity — both military personnel and unlawfully imprisoned civilians. This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
The Russian Federation uses captivity and illegal detention as tools of intimidation, demoralisation, and destruction of Ukrainian identity. Often, the aggressor denies the very fact of imprisoning Ukrainian women, effectively taking entire families hostage.
As part of the "403" campaign, the Women's March NGO team is working to draw attention to the issue of protecting the rights and securing the release of all Ukrainian women held in Russian captivity. The human rights community must intensify pressure on Russia through public advocacy, international solidarity, media campaigns, and documenting crimes.
We will discuss captivity as a political weapon, international mechanisms for the return of our women, and the role of culture, film, and journalism in advocacy. This conversation is a step toward restoring freedom and voice to every woman in captivity.
Speakers:
Olena Shevchenko, Head of the Women's March NGO
Liudmyla Huseinova, Head of NGO "Numo, Sestry!", human rights defender, former civilian hostage
Viktoriia Petruk, Head of Human Rights Programmes at the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War
Moderator:
Anastasiia Herasymenko, Co-founder of the Women's March NGO, communications specialist
Organisers: Women's March NGO and Docudays NGO
