Ukrainian association hosts march in uMhlanga highlighting horrors of Russian invasion
Already more than six million people have fled their homes since the start of the Ukraine war.
THE Ukrainian Association of South Africa held a march on the uMhlanga Promenade on Sunday, calling for an end to Russia’s invasion.
Already more than six million people have fled their homes since the Russian invasion which has seen the destruction of infrastructure across several Ukrainian cities and the deaths of thousands of civilians, including women and children, according to the United Nations.
Katya Fedkina, the Durban representative of the association, said the march was also a call to the South African government to condemn Russia’s actions.
“We appeal to the South African government to immediately and unequivocally condemn Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and to contribute to the eradication and prevention of gender-based violence, both in Ukraine and South Africa. August is recognized as Women’s Month in South Africa – a month to acknowledge women’s fight for human rights.
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“The invasion of Ukraine has a huge impact on women and girls, including increasing the horrors of sexual and gender-based violence, which causes trauma that is often irreversible both physiologically and psychologically,” Fedkina said.
Fedkina said the association urged South African businesses to stop doing business with Russia.
“The consequences of the Russian invasion will not only hit Ukraine but also affect the most vulnerable women, and many who have children, in South Africa as petrol price hikes, food shortages and financial instabilities all contribute to higher rates of gender-based violence. The Ukrainian Association of South Africa appeals to all SA businesses to show their social responsibility and to stand up against Russian military aggression; to defend peace and international order, which is critical for business functioning and prosperity. We call on all South African companies to stop doing business with Russia and not to contribute to violence against women globally,” she said.
