Gender equality does not focus solely on women, it provides for equality between both genders. “When we talk about gender, we are not talking only about women; we are talking about protecting the rights of all citizens of Ukraine. For example, men in Ukraine live much shorter lives than women, and this issue also needs attention,” said Martin Hagström.
In addition to the Swedish government, Ukraine receives a significant support for the establishment of gender equality from the government of Canada. The Association of Women Police was established on June 9. “In each of our project, we include an element of introducing gender equality as a conscious position of Canada. On June 6 Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, announced gender equality and feminist approach to international relations a priority of our foreign policy,” emphasized Roman Waschuk, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine.
The quality of life is enhanced through improved gender situation. In Ukraine, the majority of the population is women, but the government uses the potential of minority. Potential of the majority, that is women, is not sufficiently involved. “Human rights and equal opportunities are the values for which people went to Maidan. And it was the Maidan and the Russian aggression that clearly showed that Ukrainian women as well as men are able to fight for freedom, democracy and independence. Women led the volunteering, women joined the ranks of the Armed Forces, they went there as volunteers. At that particular time the Ukrainian society formed its request for the increased women leadership in politics, economy and other spheres,” stressed Ms. Klympush-Tsintsadze.