Context: On March 8, International Women’s Day, women in Latin America and Asia took to the streets to demand equality and protection from violence. In Eastern Europe, people traditionally lined up for flowers. In English-speaking countries, a new trend is gaining popularity: donating money to women’s organizations on this day. For instance, women in Australia organized a run to raise $2 million for the fight against breast cancer.
On the day after the March 8 special day, the First Information TV Channel (News.by, owned by Belteleradiocompany) reported that Ukraine would significantly shorten maternity leave.
“Ukraine plans to slash parental leave ninefold — from three years to four months. This is the proposal made by the Parliamentary Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans’ Rights,” the news anchor said.
In fact, a Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine committee proposed a new measure to support parents, not a reduction of the current parental leave. The proposal was for an additional four months of paid leave. Both parents would be eligible for the leave until the child turns eight.
Pre-existing parental leave in Ukraine will not be canceled. It stays in place as before until the child turns three. In other words, the First Information TV Channel presented the additional parental leave as a replacement for the existing one.
In Ukraine, the government provides a child allowance of about $160 per month during the first year of life. Also, the state pays a lump sum of over $1,000 when a child is born. However, in the second and third years, payments are provided only if the parent returns to work. The payments are about $180 per month to cover daycare or a babysitter.
The Ukrainian child support model differs from the Belarusian model. While Belarus pays women to stay home and care for their children, Ukraine financially supports mothers who return to work after their child turns one. At the same time, their job is guaranteed until the child turns three.