Editor’s Note: Interview quotes from Ukrainian girls have been edited and condensed for clarity by the author.
By Camille S. Campbell, STF Youth Ambassador
One year ago, on February 24th, peace in Ukraine shattered when shots rang through the air, missile strikes destroyed homes, and artillery fire turned villages into graveyards. Russia invaded Ukraine, bringing death and destruction to its neighboring country.
As a girl with family and friends who live in Ukraine, this has been the most calamitous 365 days I have ever experienced. My heart aches when friends tell me stories of hiding in shelters as artillery shelled their cities and escaping their demolished homes where they once had experienced their happiest childhood memories. Aside from being one of the largest humanitarian crises of the 21st century, the war in Ukraine has severely impacted human rights, ripping away girls’ basic right to safety. By talking to Ukrainian girls my age, I realize how important it is for the world to hear their powerful words. Being a Youth Ambassador at the gender equality organization She’s the First, I have the opportunity to amplify the voices of Ukrainian girls and speak out about girls’ rights in Ukraine.
“By talking to Ukrainian girls my age, I realize how important it is for the world to hear their powerful words. ”
A Ukrainian girl living in a city currently occupied by Russian soldiers faces the risk of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Some perpetrators of sexual violence against Ukrainians are convicted criminals who are promised a pardon in exchange for fighting in Ukraine. The UN reported that girls are at immediate risk because of the rise of sexual violence in Ukraine. Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska stated that sexual violence continues to be used “systematically and openly” as a strategy of terrorizing civilians and leaving them with trauma that will last long after the war. There have been more than 100 recorded cases of documented sexual violence - a number reflecting “cases where the victims found the strength to testify.”
With the bombing of schools, girls have also lost the ability to have access to normal education and face unprecedented barriers to continuing their studies. According to the Save the Schools in Ukraine report, 3,098 educational institutions in Ukraine were damaged due to shelling. Running to basements and bomb shelters under the sound of blaring sirens is a new reality for Ukranians. “Despite the fear and pain, I am studying to win,” says 16-year-old Liza from Kyiv, who always packs a first aid kit in her backpack. “Five hours of studying and three of them in shelters, via Zoom. We are under missiles.”
“Despite the fear and pain, I am studying to win. Five hours of studying and three of them in shelters via Zoom. We are under missiles.”
As a result of the war, eight million Ukrainians became refugees, and nearly 90% of them are women and children. “My dad is in Ukraine, and I worry about him all the time,” says Sasha, a refugee who now lives and studies in Poland. The uncertainty of tomorrow haunts most families who were forced to flee from the war and are separated from their loved ones.
“My dad is in Ukraine, and I worry about him all the time.” says Sasha, a refugee who now lives and studies in Poland.”
Mental health has also become a major cause for concern as the Russian aggression continues. Massive missile and military drone attacks happen on most of the territory of Ukraine almost daily. Living in these conditions creates anxiety and makes a lasting impact on children. “When missiles fell close to my home in November, I screamed out and hid in a bunker with my family. The boom was deafening!” nineteen-year-old Nastya from Kyiv shares her story in a phone conversation. “Often, I am afraid that rockets will fall on our home and that something will happen to my mom, dad, and grandma.”According to Ukraine’s presidential advisor for children’s rights and rehabilitation, almost 14,000 Ukrainian children were deported to Russia. Most of these children have not been able to contact their family members, and it’s unknown what happened to them.
“When missiles fell close to my home in November, I screamed out and hid in a bunker with my family. The boom was deafening! Often, I am afraid that rockets will fall on our home and that something will happen to my mom, dad, and grandma.”
By supporting Ukrainians, you become part of the collective effort for good. Reach out to representatives to voice support for Ukraine aid, contribute to humanitarian nonprofits that work in Ukraine (such as Voices of Children, UNICEF, and the International Rescue Committee), and share the voices of Ukrainians on social media. My friend Kseniia, who evacuated from the demolished city of Mariupol, which is currently under Russian occupation, wrote in her post: “The world is full of good people who can and want to help. There are much more of them than those who carry evil. We are sincerely grateful to all the caring people!” Many Ukrainians share the same philosophy, and we can not let them down. To support justice, freedom, and human rights, we must stand strong with Ukraine.
“The world is full of good people who can and want to help. There are much more of them than those who carry evil. We are sincerely grateful to all the caring people!”
Camille S. Campbell is an 18-year-old Youth Ambassador at She’s the First and an award-winning author from Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A. Having Ukrainian heritage and family members who live in Ukraine, Camille is an active participant in Ukrainian activism efforts.