22 November 2023
The panel featured women soldiers from Ukraine and Colombia - highlighted women's participation in combat, but above all their contribution, still too often devalued, to peace solutions and sustainable conflict resolution. The EU Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa Annette Weber and the International humanitarian law lawyer Elena Ambrosi were part of the discussion, moderated by Comfort Ero, President of the International Crisis Group.
War sadly crossed the paths of Olga Vesnianka (Ukraine) and Sandra Ramírez (Colombia). Their destinies changed the day they decided to enlist. This was a turning point in their lives, an important choice that both have made. Beyond their commitment as soldiers, they spoke about the role of women combatants in peace processes and agreements.
“When you want to chase away the occupants of your own territory, you don't have time to think. The decision to join the army becomes a matter of consciousness, of course", confesses Olga in her military khaki uniform. Behind her bright blue eyes and engaging smile lies a resolute woman. She remembers the first days of the war “all these sounds of artillery, alarms, you don’t sleep well, you don’t eat well, you can't go out.” Like her, over 50,000 women have volunteered in the Ukrainian army since the start of Russia’s war of aggression. Ukraine does not conscript women. Each of them volunteered for battle.
Like all the women who enlisted in the Ukrainian army, Olga has put aside her "former life". Before the war, Olga was a journalist and also worked in the field of human rights. She was involved on issues of gender-based violence, non-discrimination policy, women's rights and human rights of the Roma population.
"As a woman soldier, I'm fighting two enemies at once," she explains. "One is obviously Russia. And the other is the stereotypes and stigma we face every day as female soldiers. The only place I can say I didn't see that stigma, but a sense of equality between combatants, was at the front line. On the front line, we're all focused on one thing - fighting for our country".
What makes her strong, she says, is the fact that “people in Ukraine show great solidarity in these difficult circumstances. You will always find someone who would help, providing food, or place to stay”. She is also grateful for the support of foreign countries. Olga is now training to become a drone pilot. One of her ambitions is to achieve true equality between all combatants, whether men or women. She explains: “I want to take my part of responsibility in the fight. Sometimes I feel like a mother, sometimes like a sister. We shouldn’t think about gender in the battlefield, but about our country. When I am on the battlefield I am not Olga anymore, I am a patriot”. For her, a peaceful future is still too difficult to imagine. "War is here, every day" she sadly remembers.
Facing Olga during the debate, Sandra Ramirez listens intently. It's hard to imagine the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) guerrilla soldier fighting in the Colombian jungle behind this quiet, elegant woman. She comes from a family dedicated to farming, growing sugar cane, coffee and cocoa. Sandra decided to join the guerrilla at the age of 17. She remembers: “The day I decided to join the guerrillas, I didn't tell my parents. I just left home and enlisted as a soldier. My parents knew nothing about it”. She fought in the insurgency FARC-EP guerrilla for 35 years. Sandra also participated as a negotiator in the talks with the Colombian state in Havana, which led to the signing of the 2016 peace agreement.
Sandra highlights: “During the negotiation process, it was important to ensure that women's voices were heard, she explains. There were many of us, women, fighting and putting forward proposals for building a just and lasting peace. It was essential that all voices were heard to rebuild a new Colombia after this long war”.
Once the peace agreements were signed, Sandra gave up her military uniform. She became a Senator - a new role Sandra embraces with passion: “My commitment is to continue working for peace, for reconciliation, for an advanced democracy, for all those who live in the peripheral neighbourhoods, in the streets, and who today need all of us. My commitment is for all of them".
Backstage at the debate was Oleksandra Matviichuk, also a PPF guest. The Ukrainian human rights lawyer and the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner believes that the role of women in war is essential. She explains: “In the actual war in Ukraine, many women joined Ukraine armed forces. They document war crimes and take important political decisions. Women are in the forefront of this battle for freedom and democracy because bravery has no gender”.
Watch the Panel “Female Combatants: roles and needs in conflict and post-conflict peacebuilding”.