Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk: Ukrainian women demonstrate leadership, courage, and determination in the face of full-scale russian aggression

Informatiion Department
30 June 2022, 16:54


Ukrainian women face new challenges in the face of a full-scale russian invasion, but they do not give up and continue to work, care for children and loved ones, and defend Ukraine as we approach our victory.

This was emphasized by the Deputy Chairwoman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olena Kondratiuk, during the opening of the Regional Ukrainian Women's Congress in Ivano-Frankivsk.

"For the first time, the Ukrainian Women's Congress is being held in the context of a full-scale war. And it is quite symbolic that at the end of June 1934, it was in this city, which was then called Stanislaviv, that the first Ukrainian Women's Congress took place. This speaks of the stability and traditions of the Ukrainian women's movement," said Olena Kondratiuk.

The Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and co-founder of the UWC noted the unique and important role of women in the struggle for freedom, sovereignty, statehood, and independence of Ukraine during the russian-Ukrainian war.

 "I want to honor those who died for our freedom, territorial integrity, statehood, and independence. Not every nation is able to withstand genocide and repel such an invasion. But we must be aware that Ukrainian men and women and our Armed Forces today protect not only Ukraine but also the whole free and democratic world, " Olena Kondratiuk said.

According to her, today, more than 37,000 women servicemen serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, of which more than a thousand have already become commanders.

 "Women are on an equal footing with men on the front lines. The first Ukrainian woman pilot and talented fighter Natalia Perakova, " said the Vice-Speaker.

She added that more than 80% of medics are also women, and many of them are military medics.

 "We pay tribute to the memory and sacrifice of Sergeant Inna Derusova, who died in the battles for Okhtyrka. She is the first woman to receive the title Hero of Ukraine posthumously. She provided medical care to service members. We will not forget the exploits of Kateryna Stupnytska, who assisted Ukrainian tankers under heavy fire. Kateryna posthumously received the "Golden Star "of the Hero of Ukraine in the battles for the Kyiv region," Olena Kondratiuk emphasized.

According to her, more than 500 Ukrainian enterprises have moved to safer regions of Ukraine. At the same time, 50% of entrepreneurs are women who pay taxes, finance the army and support our economy under martial law.

 "Women also take responsibility and responsibility for major humanitarian, social initiatives and work with internally displaced persons.  They become drivers of information defense and the fight against the terrorist state. They create powerful volunteer and social projects, " said the Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

The Vice-Speaker reminded that due to the russian invasion, eight million Ukrainian citizens were forced to leave their homes and go abroad. Most of them are women, the elderly and more than two million Ukrainian children.
"This situation has created a whole layer of challenges: from where and how our women look for housing and work to the issue of kindergartens, education, and language learning for our children abroad," said Olena Kondratiuk.

She reminded that during a recent visit to the reception center for temporarily displaced persons in Prague (Czech Republic) as part of parliamentary diplomacy measures to grant Ukraine EU candidate status, she met Inna, a resident of Mariupol.

 "After the phrase "I'm from Mariupol," you don't ask additional questions. You understand everything. However, we were not talking about the grief and horror that befell them. We talked about the future, her daughter's graduation from law school, the reconstruction, and the prospect of returning home as soon as possible to her native Ukraine. In farewell, Inna added: "Girls, I still believe in victory!"  – Olena Kondratiuk said.

According to the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, it is necessary to start implementing a comprehensive program for the reconstruction of Ukraine today so that Ukrainian women and their children, who find themselves under temporary protection in the EU, have a place to return to.

 "Ukrainian women are absolutely fantastic. Wherever they are, in Ukraine or forced abroad, they work, help and protect, despite all the difficulties and challenges. And we will definitely win," Olena Kondratiuk summed up.