The average salary of a woman in Ukraine is 30% lower than that of a male specialist of the same level.

We are so used to this statement from the Constitution of Ukraine that we often don’t pay attention to. Yes, in our country, fortunately, you will not find signs such as “Serfs are not allowed to enter!" or "Places for whites only.” But is equality just about that?

The average salary of a woman in Ukraine is 30% lower than that of a male specialist of the same level.

In our country there are people who have not been out for years. Simply because their homes are not equipped with ramps or special elevators for people with disabilities. And if you have a disability that forces you to move in a wheelchair - then in most cases you will be “trapped” inside the apartment, not having the physical ability to overcome the steps down and up.

After all, when an official gives a hint at “gratitude for assistance”, it is also a violation of equality, because public services should be provided without any additional “thanks”.

True equality eliminates any discrimination, on any grounds. It is on this condition that civilized societies are built, where appropriate conditions are created for everyone. And that is why equality is one of the 6 core values ​​of the European Union.

At the initiative of Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanyshyna, with the support of the EU Delegation to Ukraine and the Association4U project, we have started an information campaign that will tell in simple terms how European values ​​are manifested in our daily lives.

When you can see a separate WC for people with disabilities in a cafe; when sexist jokes with colleagues are no longer taken for granted; when, instead of agreeing to give a bribe, you report a violation by the authorities, it is all an assertion of equality.

What makes our country civilized makes us Europeans

This is European integration.