To mark International Women’s Day, the Ukranian writer Oksana ZABUZKHO addresses MEPs in Strasbourg. Extracts from the address to the Plenary and from the meting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Strasbourg

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

formal sitting

International Women's Day (T)

president's agenda

ZABOUJKO, Oksana

International Women’s Day Celebration - Address by Oksana ZABUZKHO, Ukranian writer: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the address

Title: International Women&#8217;s Day Celebration - Address by Oksana ZABUZKHO, Ukranian writer: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the address

Meeting between Oksana ZABUZKHO, Nobel price for literature, and Roberta METSOLA, EP President (5 shots)

Photo in front of European and Ukranian flags (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Dear Oksana ZABUZKHO, I am very pleased to welcome you at this year's celebration of International Women's Day. And on this day, the word celebration is not, I think, a word we could use because the shelling on Ukraine continues unabated. We have all seen, heard and felt some of the misery of the victims of the aggression. The first of which are always women and girls.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, In Ukraine women are resisting. They are standing up, pushing back and taking up arms against the aggressor. So it is therefore even more important and a privilege to have with us today. A Ukrainian woman and writer, Oksana ZABUZKHO, whose literature and strong voice exhibits the very strength of Ukrainian women in the face of oppression.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, In Russia and in Belarus, women are protesting on the streets in an act of defiance against their governments, and they do this in spite of the serious repercussions that they face. To these women, we say Europe stands united with you. We stand united with you.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And on International Women's Day. This European Parliament will serve as a platform for the strength of these brave women to be shown to the world.

SOUNDBITE (English), Oksana ZABUZKHO, Ukranian writer, I cannot be more appreciative for this invitation and for this unique opportunity to speak here on the Women's Rights Day at probably the darkest hour in Europe since 1939. But most of my literary career I've been speaking for women and in the name of women, in my writings that have been aimed to give voice to the experiences of women subjected to violence to those living and dead whose feelings, ideas or accomplishments were ignored, devalued or simply forgotten.

SOUNDBITE (English), Oksana ZABUZKHO, Ukranian writer, Since February 24th, when Russia launched its invasion conceived as a blitzkrieg only to be foiled by the ferocious determination of our military and mobilised civilians, one of history's unshakeable rules has been reconfirmed in any hot war. Women make the most vulnerable targets, if only because it's the women who remain to take care of those in need of children and the elderly.

SOUNDBITE (English), Oksana ZABUZKHO, Ukranian writer, Every coffee break you are taking during your discussions about how to interfere without provoking Putin to go further costs someone's life. Most likely, civilians, a woman or a child.

SOUNDBITE (English), Oksana ZABUZKHO, Ukranian writer, You have all seen videos of how Ukrainian civilians, men and women stop Russian tanks with bare hands and loud curses. Here lies the secret of our heroism. We are not afraid of Russia.

paragraph-9 Women of Ukraine are fleeing en masse from the Russian bombs flattened in their homes, while Ukrainian men stayed to fight as long as it's needed to free Europe from the spectre of the new totalitarianism. They all know their job, both men and women. Please don't be afraid to protect the sky above them.