Biography
Oksana Ivanova, a pediatrician who raised three children and always tried to help people, became a defendant in a criminal case in December 2024 because of her religious views.
Oksana was born in February 1970 in the city of Dnepropetrovsk (now Dnipro, Ukraine). His mother worked as a doctor, and his stepfather worked at a factory. They are no longer alive. Oksana has a younger brother with whom she has a warm relationship.
The girl studied well and graduated from school with a silver medal. She was fond of sports, painting and music. Even as a child, Oksana wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother and aunt and become a doctor. She dreamed of going to Africa to treat children there. In 1994, the girl graduated from the 2nd Moscow State Medical Institute, and later—residency and postgraduate studies. She acquired the profession of a paediatrician and worked in Moscow as a district doctor, and also worked in the emergency department of children.
Oksana got married in 1988, when she was 18. She and her husband raised three children.
Oksana had many questions, the answers to which she sought in the church, as well as in her Bible. At work, she interacted with a co-worker who was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Thanks to such conversations during her night shifts, Oksana saw that the Bible is internally consistent and does not contradict itself. A thoughtful study of this book prompted the woman to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, which she did in 2001.
Oksana loves to help people overcome difficult life situations, so a few years ago she received a second higher education with a degree in practical psychology.
In her free time, Oksana likes to visit historical places and go to the mountains. She loves to dance, read books and spend time with friends.
Relatives respect Oksana's beliefs, although they do not share them. Therefore, it has become a great stress for the family that she is prosecuted for her faith.