UN Women Rep in Ukraine. Interested in Ukraine, Balkans, Caucasus, Turkey + Central Asia. Tweets are personal. Moving to @sabinefreizer.bsky.social

Kyiv & Istanbul
Joined July 2009
Sabine Freizer Gunes retweeted
Overnight, Kyiv was rocked by a massive barrage again. At least one resident was reportedly killed and more injured, including medical personnel. Civilian infrastructure was shattered, and basic services disrupted. This pattern of civilian harm must be brought to an end.
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What the downfall of Orbán and Vučić may tell us about the limitations of competitive authoritarianism & civil society’s power… looking forward to takes from Levitsky, Way, Bunce, Chenoweth, Tufekci & many more… someone please focus also on young women activists & their roles…
Replying to @DimitarBechev
What's interesting - and theory relevant - is that the challenge came from civil society. Not established political parties. Several waves of protest since 2021 built momentum. People learned how to self-organise and eventually compete in elections. carnegieendowment.org/europe… 4/4
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Sabine Freizer Gunes retweeted
🇺🇳 Today marks 81 years of the @UN. As Russian attacks continue across #Ukraine, we work alongside our partners to deliver aid & help communities recover. United for the people of Ukraine & a peaceful future💙 #UnitedForUkraine
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Women in Ukraine are needed to fill the labor gap today and during recovery - employers will have to adjust 👷‍♀️👩‍🏭👩‍🚒
Not a Woman's Job? Women Changing the Labor Market: From Professional Stereotypes to Systemic Solutions On 15–16 October, UN Women’s #SheDemines programme brought together women working in traditionally male-dominated fields, government agencies, business, academia, international organizations, civil society in Kyiv to discuss how to make these professions more accessible to women. From humanitarian mine action to energy, transport and manufacturing, women are already contributing to sectors vital to Ukraine’s recovery. The discussions focused on turning these experiences into lasting change: expanding equal access to jobs, creating safe and inclusive workplaces, and ensuring women have opportunities to grow and build long-term careers. #WPS #WomenPeaceSecurity @GAC_Corporate @CanEmbUkraine @SabineFreizer @mineconomdev @bbcmediaaction @godivchata
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At least 328 civilians were killed, 2,105 injured in Ukraine in September – 85% more than in September 2025. In Kyiv, civilian casualties were recorded on 22 of 30 days. As winter approaches, Russia resumed large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. ukraine.ohchr.org/en/Protect…
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Sabine Freizer Gunes retweeted
Artificial intelligence has already become part of our work, learning, and everyday tasks. But for many people, it is still a complex and unfamiliar technology. That’s why UN Women Ukraine and AI HOUSE are launching the second cohort of the #UNWomenAISchool — a free educational programme designed to help you confidently start working with AI tools 👇 The programme runs from November 3 to 29. Here’s what to expect: 🔹 6 online sessions with AI experts, 🔹 practical assignments after each session, 🔹 an opportunity to join two practical sessions [AI Labs] for the most active participants. The first cohort of the UN Women AI School brought together 662 women from across Ukraine. Participants learned practical AI tools — from prompting and creating AI assistants to automating work processes — and are now using them in their work, learning, and professional development. 🔗Apply via the link: bit.ly/3WmythY @EUDelegationUA @unfpaeecaro @UNFPAUkraine @mintsyfra
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Everyday women heroes in Ukraine
“It is hard. You just hope things will get better.” Thanks to the support of 🇺🇸 & other donors to @OCHAFunds, aid workers are providing vital food & cash assistance to front-line residents, facing the continued impact of ongoing attacks. More in the video from @WFPUkraine👇
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From the head of the UN in Ukraine yesterday…. But tonight is unlikely to be much different as alerts due to Russian jet powered drones already cover much of the map
Another night of attacks by the Russian Armed Forces. In #Kyiv, #Lutsk and #Rivne, civilians were killed and injured. Several power plants were reportedly struck ahead of winter. Humanitarian Coordinator @matzschmale says respect for IHL requires that civilians are protected.
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Sabine Freizer Gunes retweeted
Yesterday's strike in #Zaporizhzhia was one of many intense attacks by the Russian Armed Forces across Ukraine in recent days, harming civilians. Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, @matzschmale, calls for this violence to end and urges respect for IHL.
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Sabine Freizer Gunes retweeted
48 hours of attacks across #Ukraine. Winter approaching. We must not confuse the ability to adapt with the ability to endure indefinitely. Three things are needed now: 🔴 Protect civilians and infrastructure 🔴 Allow humanitarian aid to reach everyone 🔴 Protect aid workers
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Sabine Freizer Gunes retweeted
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have reached a 'horrifying' new level. Briefing the UN Security Council, Mohamed Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for @UNDPPA stressed that all attacks on civilians, wherever they occur, violate international law and must end.
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Our UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine @matzschmale denounces today’s Russian attacks which killed and injured civilians across Ukraine
Following overnight attacks across #Ukraine, which caused multiple civilian casualties, including among children, Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, @matzschmale, says that "this pattern of increasing harm to civilians must end." Read more: bit.ly/4jIJFPI
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Sabine Freizer Gunes retweeted
Dismayed that our humanitarian colleagues in Kharkiv keep reporting that civilians continue to be killed and injured by the relentless Russian Federation armed forces attacks. Adhering to international humanitarian law means protecting civilians!
Kharkiv continues to endure deadly attacks. Yesterday, 6 civilians were reportedly killed & nearly 60 were injured, including children. Aid workers were on the ground, supporting people who lost loved ones & those injured. Civilians and homes are protected by IHL. #NotATarget.
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This is such a powerful message of empowerment of survivors of sexual violence: please watch if you get the opportunity…. And for now best of luck at the Oscars Alisa and SEMA team! 🏆🏆🏆
🌟 TRACES is Ukraine’s Official Entry for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category! Directed by Alisa Kovalenko and co-directed by Marysia Nikitiuk, the documentary amplifies the voices of Ukrainian women who survived conflict-related sexual violence and torture during Russian aggression. Having their stories heard on the global stage is a monumental step for our entire team and for the advocacy movement. 📌 UN Women is an impact partner of “TRACES”, supporting efforts to raise awareness of conflict-related sexual violence and amplifying the voices of survivors. We are proud to support the film and its team as “TRACES” reaches international audiences and brings greater visibility to the stories of Ukrainian women and their pursuit of justice and dignity. #CRSV #TRACES #TRACESFilm
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Impressive to see one Ambassador after another in Kyiv repeating this message and calling on the Russian Federation to abide by international humanitarian law in Ukraine
Together with other Heads of Mission in Kyiv, we take note with concern of the Russian MFA's threat against diplomats and foreign citizens in Ukraine. Russia is bound by the Vienna Convention and international humanitarian law. We stay in Kyiv. 🇺🇦🤝🇪🇺
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Extensive Russian drone attacks in Kyiv City follow a pattern of intensifying attacks in September. HRMMU is verifying reports that 31 civilians have been killed and 361 injured in Kyiv city alone in September. For more information on civilian harm in Ukraine, see ukraine.ohchr.org/en/reports….
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Sabine Freizer Gunes retweeted
🔴 T24'teki Arkadaşlara, Malum siyasi iktidar ve yarattığı siyasi ortam bizlerde “şaşma” duygusunu köreltti;  “Yok canım, öyle şey olmaz” diyemez olduk. Onun yerini “Bu da mı oldu?”  diyoruz ve bekliyoruz. Bekliyoruz, çünkü böyle bir düzenin ilanihaye sürüp gitmeyeceğini biliyoruz. Ve şüphesiz, sadece beklemiyoruz. Haklılık biriktiriyoruz. Tarihe yön verme mücadelesi içindeyiz; kolay iş değil. “Geçmiş olsun” diyelim—demesek de geçeceğini bilerek. ✍️ Murat Belge'nin yazısı... apps.apple.com/tr/app/t24/id… play.google.com/store/apps/d…
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Sabine Freizer Gunes retweeted
🇺🇦 Today, we honour Ukraine’s defenders. Ukrainian women are leaders, volunteers, entrepreneurs and defenders. 75,000 women have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with over 55,000 serving in military positions. In 10 years, the number of women serving has more than tripled. 🪖 Their stories reflect courage, leadership and dedication to protecting Ukraine. Equal opportunities and non-discrimination in the security and defence sector are part of Ukraine’s #WomenPeaceSecurity commitments under the National Action Plan for 2026–2030. #UkraineDefendersDay #WPS
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