A Message from our CEO – of Solidarity, Support and Hope

March features International Women’s Day on Tuesday March 8th and our own Careers & Networking Expo on Thursday March 10th.

For us at Women in Games, these events are very significant and will be covered elsewhere in this month’s newsletter.

But it would be wrong not to mention here the horrific situation unfolding in Ukraine right in front of our eyes. Our hearts go out to everyone who is experiencing fear and unfathomable suffering at this time.

We have Corporate Ambassadors, Ambassadors, friends and allies in the region and, like many others across the games industry, our thoughts are with everyone affected by the war.

Everyone involved in this war is in danger and being significantly impacted. However, as is the case with any major conflict, it is women and children who will suffer the most. The UN just this week highlighted this, pointing out that the huge migration of Ukrainian citizens to neighbouring countries is “dramatically escalating the scale of the already dire humanitarian situation, and increasing the risk of sexual violence and exploitation.”

For those who have not yet fled their homes, the women of Ukraine are continuing to work and protect their children, some even taking up arms and joining the fight.

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska has paid tribute to the “incredible’ women who “take children to shelters every day without panic and entertain them with games and cartoons”; those who “give birth in bomb shelters”; and those who are continuing to ensure that “life goes on and wins”.

She has also pointed out that there are two million more women than men in Ukraine, adding “…now that is taking on a whole new meaning. Because it means that our current resistance has a particularly feminine face”.

Elsewhere, there have been calls for women to be involved in peace and security processes, with Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, offering: “The inclusion of women themselves into the decision-making process and humanitarian response is … essential to ensure that their rights are upheld.”

We at Women in Games are activists, and passionate about our support of women. In situations like this, it is hard to know how to take meaningful action to help. But we will continue to show our solidarity and support to the incredibly brave women in Ukraine – both within the many games companies based there and, of course, elsewhere.

There are many organisations which are raising money to directly support women and children in the region. If you would like to donate, we hope the following links are useful:

Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights – https://secure.givelively.org/donate/urgent-action-fund-for-women-s-human-rights/urgent-response-fund-ukraine

Ukrainian Women’s Fund – https://uwf.org.ua/en/

International Committee of the Red Cross – https://www.icrc.org/en/humanitarian-crisis-ukraine

SOS Children’s Villages – https://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/

UNICEF – https://www.unicef.org.uk

Choose Love – https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/ukraine-appeal/

We look forward, in hope and with all of you, for a peaceful resolution soon.

Marie-Claire Issaman, CEO, Women in Games

Pic credit: Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash