A protest over sexual violence in Ukraine is held outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius on Wednesday.
The action is being organized on the eve of the Denim Day, dedicated to the prevention of sexual violence and to an education campaign, as well as to express support for victims of sexual violence and to underline that sexual violence cannot be justified.
Speaking with reporters in the square outside the embassy, Tadas Gudauskas, the initiator and organiser of the Denim Day in Lithuania, said that this year, the Denim Day’s slogan is “There is still no excuse”, and the goal is to stand in solidarity with all people of Ukraine.
“We cannot say that we stand in solidarity only with Ukrainian women, because both men and women are subjected to sexual violence. And the purpose of the Denim Day is to say ‘no’ to sexual violence,” Gutauskas said.
Placards displayed across the whole square outside the Russian Embassy feature images from Bucha, Irpin and other sites of civilian massacres carried out by Russian soldiers. Photos of dead bodies and destroyed buildings are accompanied by short stories of torture and murder.
They are the illustration of widespread reports of Ukrainian women and children being raped and tortured by Russian troops in Russian-occupied territories.
Ukrainian Oleksandr Ganzia attended the event with his grandson Emil. The man has been living in Lithuania for some time now and already has Lithuanian citizenship. He says this realistic exhibition reminds him of the pain of seeing “the horrible behaviour of the Russian army”.
“This is the real genocide in this country. It could be stopped by the Ukrainian army, with the bravery of the Ukrainian people. And, of course, we must help and support Ukraine,” he said.
He also stressed that Ukraine needs military and financial assistance. He thanked Lithuania and private initiatives for such assistance.
“We must act, time matters,” he said.
More participants are expected at around 18:00, including several MPs from the conservative Homeland Union party.
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