Now I do not separate the word “peace” from the word “independence”. Ukraine’s independence from the russian invader. And my personal independence.
“Peace” is unlikely to return to the meaning of “absence of war” anytime soon, because even the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops to the borders of 1991 will not mean that the war is over. After all, there will be the installation of more air defense systems, the creation of a buffer zone, the identification and neutralization of collaborators and russian agents, and years of demining our lands.
Therefore, my peace will come when I can no longer depend on the russians for my daily choices. When russia will no longer be able to force me to wear camouflage, go to sleep in a dugout or in a corridor, be late for lunch because of an air raid alert, or refuse to travel because passenger planes are not flying.
When such a moment comes, I will call it “peace.”
Anastasiia Shevchenko (Stasik), singer, paramedic
The initiative is implemented within the framework of the project “Strengthening the capacity of the women’s network of volunteers in Lviv region” (#FemaleVolunteersLviv) with the technical support of UN Women Ukraine and funded by the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).
The WPHF is a flexible and rapid funding instrument that supports quality interventions that increase the capacity of local women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.
* This publication has been prepared with the financial support of the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), but the views and contents expressed herein are not necessarily those of the United Nations and are not officially endorsed or recognized by the United Nations.