European Solidarity calls decision to partially lift travel ban on female local council members victory
Co-chair of the European Solidarity faction in the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko welcomed the government's decision to lift the travel ban on female local council members, which has been repeatedly criticized by both European Solidarity and international partners, the political force's website reported on Wednesday.
"2.5 years ago, the government adopted a foolish, illegal decision to ban women who are not subject to military service from traveling abroad, but only on social grounds, because they are representatives of local government bodies or in the civil service... Today we have the first very important victory - Svyrydenko [Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko] admitted that women could not even go on legal leave. However, she did not say why they could not go there, because of whom?" said Gerashchenko.
At the same time, she called the decision that women working in local government bodies, if they do not receive a salary from the state, will be able to travel abroad, half-hearted.
"I congratulate everyone, this was achieved through hard struggle and hard work. We continue to work, because the same decision should be made for the civil service... We will not advise stupid things, we will advise wise things," said Gerashchenko.
As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers allowed women deputies of local councils working on a voluntary basis to cross the state border without hindrance during martial law.
Svyrydenko noted that previously, even on legal leave, this category of women could not travel abroad. "This limited volunteer activities and forced some to resign their mandate. The new decision eliminates these barriers. We want women deputies to remain active and continue to develop their communities," the Prime Minister added.
She noted that the changes apply to deputies of all levels of councils, except for those who receive a salary for their work in local government bodies.