Individuals, primarily girls and youngsters, go by way of Przemysl prepare station after fleeing from war-torn Ukraine in 2022 in Przemysl, Poland. In response to the EU Company for Elementary Rights, some 2.5 million girls and women have left Ukraine since Russia invaded 4 years in the past.
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Photos
Ladies who’ve fled the Ukraine conflict are experiencing “excessive charges” of bodily, sexual and psychological violence within the European Union, the bloc’s rights company mentioned on Tuesday (February 24, 2026), calling for higher safety.
Some 2.5 million girls and women have left Ukraine since Russia invaded 4 years in the past and been granted short-term safety in member states, however many face hurdles, the EU Company for Elementary Rights (FRA) mentioned in a report.
“Regardless of the protections supplied by the EU, many ladies undergo severe violations; others really feel unsafe,” FRA director Sirpa Rautio mentioned.
“EU member states should be sure that girls obtain safety, assist and justice for what they’ve endured in order that they will rebuild their lives,” she added.
One in 4 girls from Ukraine have skilled bodily or sexual violence for the reason that begin of the conflict, that means they face a higher threat than the final inhabitants, in line with FRA knowledge.
Of them, 62% suffered the violence in one of many 27 EU states the place they now stay, and 9 % whereas fleeing to the EU, FRA added. 39% skilled the violence in Ukraine— in lots of circumstances by the hands of Russian forces.
The FRA report was primarily based on a 2024 survey of greater than 1,200 Ukrainian girls who fled the conflict and had been dwelling in Czech Republic, Germany and Poland, in addition to interviews with 30 girls in these nations who had skilled violence.
The survey discovered that 51% of Ukrainian girls had been sexually harassed for the reason that conflict started, and 23% had been sexually harassed on-line, the next price than amongst girls within the EU total.
Some 54% have skilled an assault or a adverse response after they spoke Ukrainian in public— with circumstances particularly in Czech Republic and Poland.
Almost one in 4 girls from Ukraine have additionally encountered “probably exploitative presents of transport, housing or work,” whereas many amongst these working reported not having a contract overlaying their hours, FRA discovered.
Almost a 3rd had no entry to psychological well being companies to beat the trauma of conflict, whereas only a few girls reported incidents to police or assist organisations, FRA mentioned.
Printed – February 24, 2026 10:59 am IST