FMWC Women, Peace, and Security Committee statement on the invasion of Ukraine

The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) is committed to supporting UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security) and therefore strongly condemns the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

We write as female physicians concerned about the horrific situation right now for everyone in Ukraine - especially for the women and children that we know will be disproportionately impacted by this tragic event. We have mounting anxiety about the possibility that this military conflict could easily spiral out of control to either a nuclear accident or a nuclear war.

We therefore call upon our government both to urgently promote an immediate ceasefire and to utilize vigorous diplomacy and negotiation to help construct a lasting peace agreement.

The world has witnessed families having their lives and their natural environment destroyed by military conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, etc.

Canada recognizes R2P - the responsibility to protect. It is therefore Canada's responsibility to help guide all parties involved toward an immediate ceasefire and make serious efforts in building a constructive path to peace. It is important for Canada, and all countries involved, to apply a gender-based analysis to their support efforts.

The FMWC WPS strongly advocates for the abolition of nuclear weapons, both in Russia and in the rest of the world, such that a war like the one in Ukraine cannot escalate to mutual nuclear annihilation. Commitments to No First Use policy is urgently needed by all parties involved. Furthermore, the FMWC WPS is in support of the elimination of corporations' ability to profit from both wars and the weapons of war.

FMWC WPS Committee
Member of the Canadian WPS-Network