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The Muffled Five: Rimma Mykhailovska, a Force for Change in Ukraine

Osamu Dazai

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The Muffled Five

by Rimma Mykhailovska

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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In the face of adversity, some people choose to remain silent, while others find their voices and use them to speak out against injustice. Rimma Mykhailovska, a Ukrainian activist and one of the "Muffled Five," is one of the latter.

The Muffled Five is a group of five Ukrainian women who were arrested and imprisoned in 2018 for protesting against the government's failure to address sexual violence in the country. Mykhailovska and her fellow activists were accused of "hooliganism" and sentenced to two years in prison. However, they were released after just over a year due to international pressure.

Mykhailovska's activism began long before her arrest. She has been working for gender equality in Ukraine for over 20 years. She is the founder of the NGO "Women's Perspectives," which provides legal aid and support to women who have experienced violence. She is also a member of the Ukrainian Women's Fund, which supports women's rights organizations throughout the country.

Mykhailovska's work has made her a target of threats and intimidation. In 2017, she was attacked by a group of men who threatened to kill her. However, she has refused to be silenced. She continues to speak out against sexual violence and to demand justice for women in Ukraine.

The Muffled Five Arrest and Trial

In March 2018, Mykhailovska and her fellow activists were arrested after they protested outside a government building in Kyiv. The women were protesting the government's failure to address the issue of sexual violence in the country. They were charged with "hooliganism" and sentenced to two years in prison.

The trial of the Muffled Five was widely condemned by international human rights organizations. The women were accused of nothing more than exercising their right to freedom of assembly and expression. The charges against them were politically motivated and aimed at silencing their activism.

In June 2019, the Muffled Five were released from prison after just over a year. Their release was due to international pressure and the efforts of their supporters. Mykhailovska and her fellow activists continued their work after their release, advocating for gender equality and an end to sexual violence in Ukraine.

Mykhailovska's Legacy

Rimma Mykhailovska is a courageous activist who has dedicated her life to fighting for gender equality in Ukraine. She is a survivor of violence and she has used her own experiences to help other women who have experienced violence. She is a role model for women and girls around the world.

Mykhailovska's work has made a real difference in the lives of women in Ukraine. She has helped to raise awareness of the issue of sexual violence and she has helped to create a more supportive environment for women who have experienced violence. She is an inspiration to us all and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of activists.

How You Can Help

There are many ways that you can help to support Rimma Mykhailovska and her work. You can donate to her NGO, "Women's Perspectives," or to the Ukrainian Women's Fund. You can also write to your elected officials and urge them to support legislation that protects women's rights in Ukraine. You can also raise awareness of the issue of sexual violence in Ukraine and challenge the attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate it.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of women in Ukraine. We can help to create a more just and equitable society for all.

Rimma Mykhailovska, A Ukrainian Activist And One Of The 'Muffled Five' The Muffled Five Rimma Mykhailovska

Additional Resources

Women's Perspectives
Ukrainian Women's Fund
Human Rights Watch: Ukraine: Release Five Activists Unjustly Imprisoned for 'Hooliganism'
Amnesty International: Ukraine: Release of five activists a victory for freedom of assembly

The Muffled Five

by Rimma Mykhailovska

4.5 out of 5