Two women who have been fighting bravely

Today, in honour of International Women’s Day, I would like to shed light on what is currently going on with two women who have been fighting bravely after the death of Aleksei Navalny. His wife and daughter, Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya, are speaking up daily against the dictatorship taking place in Russia and therefore keeping Aleksei’s legacy alive. 

During a speech at the European Parliament, Yulia affirmed: “Putin must answer for what he has done to my country. Putin must answer for what he has done to a neighbouring peaceful country. And Putin must answer for everything he has done to Alexei.” Her words cut the air like a sharp knife, filling everybody’s heart with rage for the unjust treatment that her family has experienced when speaking up against Putin. 

Yulia lost her husband, the man she loved more than anything in the world and was not allowed to kiss him one last time. Two days before his death, Aleksei Navalny wrote a phrase next to a picture of himself and his wife, which recited: “But I feel you near me every second, and I love you more and more”. After his death, Yulia picked up the fight Alexei started, becoming the head of the Fund to Fight Corruption, and decided that putting her life in danger was worth the liberation of her country. 

Hours after Navalny’s death, Yulia picked herself up and spoke at a security conference in Germany, not shedding a single tear. Wearing a navy blue suit and looking right into the camera, she looked and sounded like a warrior pledging for revenge, ready to avenge the death of Russia’s most loved hero of the 21st century. “I urge you to share my fury. My fury, my anger, my hatred of those who dared to murder our future” she argued, receiving a standing ovation for her courage. 

After years of acting as a mother and a supportive wife, Yulia is ready to be the next Navalny to fight for freedom. Dasha, Aleksei’s daughter, was born in 2001, is one year younger than I am, and has already done much more than I will ever do. She is currently studying Psychology at Standford University, has accepted the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize on behalf of her father, and has become a social activist. Her Instagram page features various videos of all the interviews she has participated in, telling America about the Russian situation, and declaring each time how she will never stop fighting and is still incredibly proud of her dad. She bravely declared that she wants "Putin and everyone around him to know that they will be held accountable for everything they did to our country, to my family. And this day will happen very soon”, showing the same courage that both her parents are famous for. 

Today, on International Women’s Day, I want everyone to acknowledge how strong and fearless these two women have been since day one.