24 August marks Ukraine’s 32nd year of independence – an independence that, for the last 18 months, Ukrainians have been defending with their lives in the face of a full-scale Russian military invasion.

In South Africa, August commemorates women.

Daily Maverick, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and the Ukrainian Association of South Africa invite you to listen to stories of courage, dignity, defiance, and independence from the women of Ukraine who dared to stand against the war and defend the rights of others.

• Hear a Ukrainian Human Rights lawyer discuss the reasons for the ICC warrant of arrest.
• Learn what South Africa can do to stop the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, as this is one of the offerings of the African Peace Initiative.
• Hear from a female Assault Trouper about what is really happening on the front line, and why she chose to leave her job and children and volunteer on the front line.
• Understand how the Ukrainian army, and its perception of women, has changed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, which allowed Ukraine to have over 5000 female officers on the front line.

Watch here https://app.session.com/dailymaverick/Ukraine-Russia-Ukraines-32nd-year-of-independence?t=vr2xVvza1ZqjErb2-rWr6WHnsDbyhKtv4Pil