Vox Populi: Is there equality between men and women in Ukraine?

Editor’s Note: The Kyiv Post talked to attendees of the First Ukrainian Women’s Congress, held in Kyiv on Nov. 22.

Olga Sedova, programme officer development

co-operation in the Embassy of Sweden:

“A lot has been done, but in the society where women are the majority we still haven’t reached balance. (Swedish men) have mandatory paternity leave. They juggle with diapers and bottles the same way mothers do. They help their wives, respect and appreciate women’s work.”

Yuliia Oleksiienko,

department head at National Police

“From birth, a woman is encouraged to be next to a man, help him. But I think it will change soon.”

Anatolii Petrenko,
Major general of the Armed Forces

“We have 20 percent women in the Armed Forces. Women are involved in all peace and combat tasks. All opportunities for career growth are open to them. They can occupy any officer’s position, apart from those that can be dangerous for women reproductive health. Today, we increased the number of positions for women in combats as well.”

Yuriy Lopatynskyy,
founder, head of social bakery Walnut House

“I think there is no equality.”

Svitlana Zaleska,
bartender

“Women are more emancipated now, while men have relaxed too much under our strong management. In our business, we have three managers and all are women.”

Svitlana Voitse­khovska,
lawmaker from Narodnyi Front (People’s Front) political party

“The numbers speak for themselves – 54 percent of women in the population, but only 12 percent of women representatives in the parliament, and a 36.7 percent wage gap in 2016. If we take the constitution and laws, they say we have absolute equality in educational opportunities and job positions.”