International Women’s Day also draws attention to violence against women. In Russia, the Kremlin critic Navalny calls for protests against the Ukraine war.
- Ukraine conflict*: Russia is also increasingly attacking civilian targets in Ukraine* – including children’s hospitals.
- March 8, 2022 is International Women’s Day. Women are still exposed to violence around the world.
- The imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny calls on women in Russia* to demonstrate against the war in Ukraine.
Update from Tuesday, March 8th, 2022, 11.30 a.m .: March 8th is a national holiday in Russia. Numerous activist groups want to use International Women’s Day, which is a day off there, as an opportunity for demonstrations against the Ukraine war. Protests have been announced for the capital Moscow in particular (see initial report).
First report from Monday, March 7th, 2022, 6:30 p.m.: Moscow – Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 is International Women’s Day again. Since 1975, March 8 has been used to draw attention to issues such as equality, violence against women and the gender pay gap. The USA* were pioneers: According to the DGB Berlin, the first national women’s day was initiated by the Socialist Party on February 28, 1909.
Violence against women is still an issue in 2022 and a reality for many women worldwide. The lives of women are also acutely threatened by the bombardments of Russia. According to international observers, Russia is also said to be increasingly attacking civilian facilities and residential buildings. Hospitals are also said to have been hit by Russia’s rockets. And many children are said to have already become victims of Russia, as Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock* (Greens*) said. Because of the war in Ukraine, thousands have had to embark on a dangerous journey and leave their homes. Women and children in particular are particularly vulnerable in refugee situations.
War against Ukraine: Women in Russia to demonstrate on International Women’s Day
On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8th, Alexej Navalny’s team called on women in Russia to demonstrate against Russia’s attack on Ukraine. When it is 2 p.m. (12 p.m. CET) in Moscow, women should protest in central squares in their cities or towns, Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Jarmysch said in a video message.
“Women don’t disappear when the war starts. In war, they carry just as great a burden as men – if not more,” said Jarmysch. Women shouldn’t hide in this war, Navalny’s confidant continued. On Women’s Day, women should therefore show that their opinion is to be reckoned with. “We don’t want this war. We want it to end immediately,” said Jarmysch.
International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022: Navalny calls on Russia’s women to demonstrate against the Ukraine war
In total, there have been more than 13,400 arrests at anti-war demonstrations in Russia since the invasion began on February 24, 2022, according to the civil rights organization Owd-Info. On Sunday (March 6th, 2022) there were demonstrations in numerous Russian cities against the war in Ukraine, during which around 4065 people were arrested in almost 70 cities, according to Owd-Info.
The opposition and Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent in Russia and then flown to Germany and treated in Berlin. On his return to Russia, Navalny was immediately arrested and sentenced to many years in prison in a trial that has been criticized internationally. Navalny is currently in prison*. According to international experts, the prison conditions, including medical care, in the notorious prison camp are miserable. In addition, Navalny is said to be subjected to massive harassment by the prison guards.*
The Kremlin has also consistently cracked down on people, including feminists, who advocate for equality.* In addition, domestic violence was decriminalized in Russia* in 2017.
In Russia, Women’s Day on March 8 is a holiday when women are traditionally given flowers. However, the sanctions triggered by Putin’s war are likely to have a negative impact on the situation of women in Russia.
Previously, images that had not yet been verified went around the world showing very young Russian soldiers in Ukrainian captivity. Ukraine had announced on social media that Russian mothers could pick up their children in Ukraine safely.
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues: Russia publishes a list of “enemy” countries. * (df with dpa) fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
Rubriklistenbild: © NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA / afp
