I want to salute all women in the world for the International Women's Day. This is a special date not only to celebrate their fundamental role in our societies, but to remember and discuss structural issues such as gender equality and the violence against our mothers, wives and daughters.
I particularly address this greeting in honor of all the women, wherever they are, who are steadily supporting Ukraine since the first invader set foot in our soil. Every woman naturally knows the constraints of being subjected to abuse and prejudice, creating a barrier to exercise their freedom in the same fashion Ukraine is currently violated as a nation, deprived of the ability to be an autonomous and free entity.
Although the support for Ukraine is similarly widespread among all sectors of the democratic societies, I have the impression that women comprise a considerably larger share of our supporters as far I can empirically observe by online interactions. It's curious that I needed to reach Women's day to notice that, for which I apologize for never mentioning and not giving them the deserved credit.
Considering that 37% of women in the world do not have internet access, according to United Nations statistics, it is even more impressive that they are at the forefront of the fight. Today, 259 million fewer women have access to the internet than men, even though they account for nearly half the world's population.
It's more than time to extend the command of the world to more women. We have to admit this civilization controlled by men just didn't work well in respect of securing the basic values of humanity. It is my belief that it is more than time to increase the representation of women in the world, and examples such as Kamala Harris, Kaja Kallas, Sanna Marin and Annalena Baerbock demonstrate what can be achieved when women are given the chance to make a difference.
Last but not least, my salutation also extends to the Ukrainian women who are in exile with our children, anxiously waiting to come back.
In honor of Ukrainian women who didn't go abroad and chose the hard duty to join our resistance.
Every day must be Women's Day. You are the real warriors.