Tatiana Kovalchuk: Modern women demonstrate high efficiency in peace-building processes

10.10.2019 13:21

The security problems and challenges that our state faced with the beginning of the Russian aggression were clearly demonstrated — modern Ukrainian women, on a par with men, defend our state, occupy positions that were previously available only to men.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Tatiana Kovalchuk stated this today, October 10, during the forum “The feat does not know gender”.

“When we carry out reforms, we can implement everything, introduce new mechanisms, change laws. But for a long time we had to change our mentality and fight Soviet remnants, and today we have a great opportunity to witness equal rights for both men and women. Today there are no legal barriers that would prevent a woman from embracing any profession,” said Tatiana Kovalchuk.

She stressed that women demonstrate excellent performance in peace-building processes. Women promote trust. For example, 36 representatives of the National Police, six National Guard servicemen, three women among the peacekeepers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs take part in international peacekeeping missions. 29 servicemen of the National Guard took part in the first part of the selection for the international competition “Games of the Invincible”.

Tetiana Kovalchuk noted that this forum, with the support of the UN Structure Women in Ukraine, was timed to the Day of Defender of Ukraine, because our women proved that defending the state is everyone's business.

“We organized this forum for the Day of Defender of Ukraine. The holiday is new, it was born of war, but what is most important for me is that it has no gender. When our state opposes the aggressor, Ukrainian women, as well as Ukrainian men, have come to defend the independence and unity of our state. This holiday is a canon of honoring the dignity, glory and honor of those who fought for the freedom of Ukraine at the cost of their own lives,” the Deputy Minister noted.

“I am very happy that we can create a new history for our country. And this holiday, the Day of the Defender of Ukraine, is not a holiday of men — it is a holiday of modern heroes. At the same time, we must understand that women who work in the power structures make a huge contribution to make the future generation stereotype-free,” added Tatiana Kovalchuk.

Tatiana Kovalchuk stressed that such forums and round tables will destroy stereotypes and teach how to evaluate women for professionalism and will give really equal rights and opportunities for everyone.

Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Dmytro Kuleba stressed that the whole society needs to change.

“We have to adjust men to other correct stereotypes. Previously, they believed that it was right and cool to give flowers to a woman on March 8. We have to adjust them to the fact that, in principle, every day it is right to respect the equality of women. I thank everyone who is engaged in this business. It's not easy to break stereotypes. According to our statistics, we already have 10.6% of women in the security and defense sector, and the average figure for NATO is 10.9%,” said Dmytro Kuleba.

Kateryna Levchenko, the Cabinet Commissioner for Gender Policy of the Cabinet of Ministers, said that Ukrainian society is confidently following the path of gender policy. However, they can be overcome by joint efforts and already now Ukrainian girls are studying at faculties that were previously available only to men.

“The duty of the state is to create equal conditions for men and women for further career growth. This is a question of training and combining family and professional responsibilities,” Ekaterina Levchenko stressed.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine Roman Vashchuk stressed that during the five years of war, Ukrainians have proven that gender is not important when they are united by a common idea — the struggle for their freedom.

“For us, all four and a half years that we actively cooperate with you are very important. The theme of gender equality is a kind of sexual impediment. We see a response in the natural reaction of the Ukrainian people, a people who have been under threat for five years,” said Roman Vashchuk.

Those present with a moment of silence honored the memory of the defenders of Ukraine.

Separately, Tatiana Kovalchuk awarded the specialists of the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Armed Forces with state awards and commemorative gifts. In particular, the breastplate “For the safety of the people” was received by police lieutenant colonel Sergey Marchenko, the breastplate “For distinction in service” was received by Lieutenant Colonel of the medical service Tatyana Vasilenko.

Thanks to the Minister of Internal Affairs Larisa Zubitska, the head of the aviation and rescue service of the State Police Service and the civil protection service, the driver-rescuer of the Mobile Rescue Center of the Emergency Rapid Response of Ukraine Oleksandr Gubenko was awarded.