Equal values for Ukrainian society are truth, respect, mutual assistance and humanity, optimism, courage and ingenuity. All these values were manifested among Ukrainian women during the full-scale war and women should play an important role in the process of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
This was stated by the Vice-Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk during the opening of the Sixth Ukrainian Women’s Congress “Values in Time of War”.
“Ukrainian women are able to build, develop, teach, make a successful career, raise children and, if necessary, protect their families and their state. This is a new reality and new opportunities for women that must be recognized and cannot be overestimated. They should be used,” Olena Kondratiuk is convinced.
According to the Vice Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament and co-founder of the UWC, meeting with many European leaders, prime ministers and speakers of parliaments, “every time we talk about joining efforts for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. This is a great humanitarian mission in which women, on equal terms with men, must play a key role.”
“Our future must be based on respect for rights and equality. Our common task today is to ensure women’s access to decision-making and fair distribution of resources in the process of rebuilding Ukraine. In strengthening the European security architecture and protecting common values,” stressed Olena Kondratiuk.
She also noted that this year Ukraine, by the decision of the Verkhovna Rada, ratified the Istanbul Convention, “which we, the Ukrainian Women’s Congress, advocated for and which clearly distinguishes us as a free country, a country of respect and a country of values”.
“Victory in the war and the construction of a new country, reconstruction should create one of the best atmospheres of equality, creativity, and a sense of new justice in Ukraine. After all, we have seen and experienced all the horrors of war. Sensitivity and respect for veterans and people with disabilities – whose sacrifice is invaluable – will be very important! And attention to education and enlightenment, which should become the priorities of Ukraine’s development,” Olena Kondratiuk emphasized.
The Vice-Speaker stated that the war always begins where freedom of speech disappears, the superiority of one nation over another is cultivated, lies, fair elections disappear as well as an honest competitive economy.
According to her, with all this comes disrespect and condonation of violence against women, restriction of their rights. “That is why today we must put our values, the values of free Ukraine and the free world, in the centre – as a guideline for building a just and happy future,” the Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said.
“The war has revealed the eternal values of Faith, Hope and Love. We believe both in God and in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We have one common and powerful Hope that unites the whole nation – Hope for Victory. We have learned what true Love is. To your spouse or child, to your parents or friends, to your home and your Motherland. The fourth value that goes along with Faith, Hope and Love is Wisdom. I am convinced that we will have enough of it,” said Olena Kondratiuk, expressing confidence in Ukraine’s victory.
