Publication author
Yaroslav Yurchyshyn
The deeper Ukraine plunges into European discourse, the more fierce the discussion about the celebration of March 8 becomes every year. Regarding the “soviet” February 23, everything is clear to everyone (our holidays are October 14 and December 6), and the International Women's Day is still a conversion one. Therefore, whether it is worth making it a day off or not, read the exclusive blog for the Channel 24 website.
I am convinced that March 8 is just a Soviet props, and free Ukraine should have its own holiday for worthy Ukrainian women. And definitely not March 8th. Here are 3 key (counter)arguments.
Argument #1: International Women's Day is not the same as a day off
For the most part, passionate fans of the celebration and the day off on the occasion of March 8 appeal to world experience, supposedly this is International Women's Day, and not the atavism that we have left from the USSR. Sounds persuasive at first.
But only if you do not understand the context: it was the Soviet Union that was the main supporter of March 8 as a holiday and a day off. It was a political decision, originating even from Lenin: in the USSR, on his initiative, the magazine Rabotnitsa was created on his initiative to “protect the interests of the women's labor movement” and promote the labor movement, the first issue of which was published on March 8 in a new style. This looks especially surprising against the backdrop of complete gender inequality in the prison of nations. More like a festival of sexism than a day of equality between men and women.
Returning to the international experience: in the USA, where the holiday was founded, they gradually abandoned it, since there is Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. The same applies to the leading countries of Europe. And March 8, as a day off, still remains with the countries of the socialist or post-socialist space: Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
It's still International Women's Day. But do you want to celebrate it in unison with those with whom we fight?
Argument number 2: it is worth fighting for your rights on a working day
I must say: we still live in a society that has not achieved full gender equality. It is easy to follow even the state apparatus: among the 22 members of the government (prime minister and ministers) there are only 5 women – 23%.
Statistically, the situation in the Verkhovna Rada is even worse: out of 405 deputies, 84 are women. It's 20%.
With regard to salaries, the situation is also not in favor of women. The World Economic Forum annually publishes the Global Gender Gap Report. For 2022 in Ukraine, this gap is 29%. This means that for every UAH 100 that a man earns, a woman of the same level of competence and education receives only UAH 71 for a similar job. In the gender gap index, we are in 81st place out of 147 countries studied.
That is, the desire of women to stand up for their right and hold marches is completely logical. And you need to do this on a working day, and not on a weekend for the sake of the effectiveness of such performances. After all, it is work, gender quotas and wages that become indicators of inequality in society. This means that equality should be advocated in a professional environment.
March 8 as an opportunity to assert your rights on a working day – why not?
Argument #3: We have a better date
March 8 is simply not the best date for a day off and a day for worthy Ukrainian women. Although because there is February 25th.
I became one of the initiators to change March 8 to February 25 at the legislative level. At least, because this day became a landmark for Ukrainian resistance back in Soviet times. After all, since the 50s of the last century, Ukrainians in the Diaspora celebrated the holiday of Ukrainian Heroines. What was obviously impossible in the USSR, because it is a cultural resistance against the prison of nations.
The most obvious argument for February 25 is the birthday of Lesya Ukrainka. One of our most outstanding countrywomen, whose spirit and word live even for centuries. Why not pay tribute to the most famous Ukrainian poetess and thus distract from the gravity of the traditions of the USSR?
Frankly, I cannot foresee the fate of the registered bill, but I will definitely be glad if this information drive becomes a trigger for Ukrainians and Ukrainian women to get to know the activities of Lesya Ukrainka in more detail.
In addition to the historical context of the celebration of February 25 by Ukrainians, there are other important dates in the past. Associated with the furious month. For example, in February were born:
- Gandzia Dmiterko – military women's chat of the Sich Riflemen;
- Daria Gusyak is an OUN-UPA activist, Roman Shukhevych's personal liaison.
Left this world in February and our other strong-willed compatriots:
- Elena Antonov – patriot and human rights activist, doctor and member of the Creative Youth Club;
- Maria Lavrov – member of the OUN, an active participant in the national liberation movement;
- the tortured Olga Basarab, a public figure in Galicia at the beginning of the 20th century;
- the poetess Elena Teliga was shot at Babi Yar.
February is the best time to pay tribute to the Ukrainian heroines, who still continue the role of their ancestors with dignity. Ukrainian woman now is a volunteer, defender, activist, public figure. The most inflexible woman on the planet. It should have its own holiday, separate from the USSR and its followers.
In conclusion, I emphasize: no one has the right to prohibit the celebration of International Women's Day. However, is it worth taking a day off from it? Or is it still worth giving preference to February 25 as the Day of the Ukrainian woman – strong, strong-willed, indestructible, unique? Everyone will find the answer to these questions for himself.
