Temporary protection of Ukrainian women and children in the EU lacks specific support

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (ADF) considered this Thursday that the temporary protection status granted in the European Union (EU) to refugees from the war in Ukraine does not provide specific support for women and children.

In a report on the evolution and shortcomings of the protection of human rights in the EU in 2022 now published, the ADF highlights that “the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the increase in child poverty, widespread hatred and the protection of human rights to technological developments are just some of the urgent human rights issues” in the 27 Member States.

The text admits that the EU directive on temporary protection “provided welcome access to work, housing, social assistance, education and health care.”

But, the agency points out, the majority of people in the EU are women, girls and boys, who require specific support, such as affordable, safe and adequate housing, suitable jobs, integration of children in schools and quick access to care centers.

The ADF also emphasizes that specific support must be given to women who have experienced violence and sexual exploitation.

Despite the fact that the war launched by Russia against Ukraine, on February 24, 2022, is the main problem in terms of respect for human rights, the EU agency also addresses, in its report, the increase in child poverty , particularly in the context of rising energy costs that have put almost one in four children in the EU at risk of poverty.

In this sense, the ADF recommends that Member States carry out actions within the scope of the European Child Guarantee, launched in 2022, to support the most vulnerable families and groups.

Hate crime and hate speech, especially online, remained a problem in 2022, the report also notes, indicating that only half of EU countries had national action plans against racism.