Tsikhanouskaya: Belarusian authorities urge women to give birth, but after childbirth many face a financial pit
The democratic leader addressed Belarusians on the occasion of Mother's Day, which is celebrated today in Belarus.
"Being a mother is one of the most challenging and at the same time one of the most important and valuable tasks women face. It is a titanic job with no weekends, breaks, or vacations. You give your children your whole self: you discover this world with them, teach them to distinguish good from bad, support them when they are scared, and rejoice in their every small victory. Good and bad are easy to talk about when it comes to fairy tales and cartoons. But when it comes to real life, words are not always found," wrote Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
According to her, there are currently 113 politically imprisoned women in Belarusian places of detention. At least 14 of them are mothers of underage children.
"Belarusian authorities urge women to give birth, but after childbirth many face a financial pit. During maternity leave, the childcare benefit for the first child is 35% of the average salary – and if a woman decides to return to work, she often faces proposals to resign, transfers of workplaces, or difficulties in finding employment," the politician noted.
She notes that, unfortunately, a mother's work is very often taken for granted. A mother can postpone her plans, career, sleep, rest, and personal desires for the sake of her child and ask for nothing in return.
"I know that now in Belarus, many of you feel anxious about the future of your children, their safety, and freedom. And even when it's scary and difficult for yourselves, you continue to be a pillar for your children, giving them love, care, and a sense of security.
That is why it is even more important to repeat again and again: thank you. Thank you for your love, patience, and strength. For preserving in your children faith in good, freedom, and justice, even when something completely different often happens around them. And I am completely confident that your children will grow into wonderful adults who will make Belarus better. Happy Mother's Day!" wrote Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Comments
Навошта ты сябе катавала, "аддаючы сябе", калі гэта табе было не ў шчасце? Навошта ты гэты негатыў падсвядома дзецям перадавала? Чаму ты пазбавіла дзяцей магчымасці праводзіць час у якасных дзіцячых садках, секцыях, установах, проста дапамагаючы мужу РАЗАМ плаціць за дабрабыт дзяцей?
Чаму ты толькі зараз спахвацілася "працаваць да начы", каб мець капейчыну на дзяцей? Што табе перашкаджала дапамагаць мужу ў свой час, а не вісець у яго на карку?