UNITED STAND
Ukraine’s First Lady joins Camilla at Palace to attack violence on women
THE Queen Consort united with Ukraine’s First Lady yesterday to call for an end to violence against women and girls.
Olena Zelenska was one of 300 guests at Camilla’s Buckingham Palace event.
The royal told attendees of her determination to listen to and remember survivors’ stories, which she said were two of the most powerful ways to help.
During her speech Camilla recited the names of some women killed this year, saying: “We refuse to be desensitised by cold facts and figures.”
She told guests, who included survivors of such violence: “You are also evidence that we can have hope as we head towards our goal of ending violence against women and girls.
“Let us not lose this precious opportunity to speak up and to galvanise action that will see the end of these heinous crimes forever.”
Ms Zelenska, the wife of President Volodymyr Zelensky, told how women and girls had been raped during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
She said: “We now face a huge amount of rapes of Ukrainian women and children by Russian soldiers. The youngest victim of rape is four and eldest is 85.
“When the efforts of the democratic world unite to combat challenges like this, it always gives hope we will win.”
Earlier, in an interview on BBC Radio 4, Ms Zelenska said: “We are fighting for our very lives. We do hope Christmas doesn’t make you forget about our tragedy and get used to our suffering.”
She was later given a standing ovation by MPs after speaking in Parliament.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Queen Rania of Jordan and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Fatima Maada Bio, first lady of Sierra Leone, were at the palace.
Spice Girl Mel B, who was made an MBE for her work with domestic violence charity Women’s Aid, praised Camilla for giving survivors a platform.
Mina Smallman, the mother of murdered sisters Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, said Camilla was “interested and engaged” when they spoke.
Ms Smallman said: “[She] spoke about my bravery and [told me] ‘don’t give up, keep going’, which was great.”
We face a huge amount of rapes by Russian troops, the youngest victim is aged 4
OLENA ZELENSKA GIVES ADDRESS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE YESTERDAY