“Duty for all”. MP Sovsun calls for mobilisation of women
27 January 2024 14:25
In an interview with journalist Emma Antoniuk, MP Inna Sovsun suggested equal mobilisation of women and men in Ukraine, reports 
Sovsun said that the Constitution of Ukraine does not distinguish between the sexes in terms of the duty to defend the country.
“According to our Basic Law, all citizens of Ukraine are responsible for the defence of the state. Nowhere does it say that this duty applies exclusively to men or women. Men must serve, but defending the state is the task of all citizens,”
– the MP said.
Sovsun reminded that many women are already serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She noted that army service can be carried out not only on the front line, but also in rear positions, where women could perform various tasks.
“My point of view is that if more personnel are needed for national defence, and we understand that we cannot do without women’s participation… This also applies to justice… If additional forces are needed to defend the country, and there are not enough servicemen. It is important to understand that it is not only about serving on the front line. There are many specialities in the rear where women could perform important tasks,” she explained,
– she explained.
About the draft law on mobilisation
on 19 December 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at a press conference that the General Staff had taken the initiative to mobilise an additional 450-500 thousand Ukrainians.
on 25 December, the government submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on improving mobilisation procedures, which also provides for a reduction in the conscription age from 27 to 25 years and proposes to grant servicemen who have returned from captivity an additional 90-day leave with pay. It also proposes to discharge all conscripts into the reserve.
on 8 January, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy determined that the government’s draft law contained corruption risks. At the same time, four alternative draft laws on mobilisation were submitted.
on 11 January, the draft law was returned to the government for revision without being considered at the plenary session of the Rada.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets pointed out that some provisions of the draft law contradicted the Constitution, Ukraine’s international obligations and human rights.
on 21 January, President Zelenskyy stated that the draft law was important from the point of view of justice, but stressed that he did not see the need to mobilise half a million people at this time.
