Chervonenko’s ex-wife will be helping women to pass through divorce
UNIAN, February 21, 2008, 11:06
http://www.unian.net/ukr/news/news-237386.html
Margarita Chervonenko, the ex-wife of the well-known Ukrainian politician Yevhen Chervonenko, has announced the creation of the civic organization for women ‘I’m strong enough!’
Ms. Chervonenko said that she had been inspired to create such an organization by the ‘uncivilized’ divorce with her husband.
“I have the experience of a situation when family life becomes impossible, and this is the time when a person needs support,” says the women’s initiative leader. “After the collapse of my marriage, the only thing I have left is my strength, and the only thing that saved me is the support of my friends and my family.”
Having had a lot of stress after the divorce, Margarita understood how many women across the entire country are suffering from the unjust attitude of men towards them, and that was the reason why she decided to create the organization. She says this will not be an ordinary organization, but a civil movement, created by Ukrainian women and for Ukrainian women.
The organization will be engaged in protection of women’s rights in Ukraine and in combating the manifestations of gender discrimination during divorce proceedings.
When presenting her initiative at a press-conference, the Yevhen Chervonenko’s ex-wife was behaving, I would say, maidenly shy. She was smiling nicely and sincerely thanking for each question asked by the journalists.
Before that, only her husband had been a public figure…
Ms. Chervonenko developed the logo for ‘I’m strong enough!’ in red and white colours, and for the project presentation she was dressed correspondingly in the same tones.
“Why the red colour? This is the colour of life – to me it seems cheerful. As a divorce is not the end of the world, but only the beginning of a new life…”
Though, the former Chervonenko family has not yet resolved the property issues, Margarita already feels happy.
“I am happy because I have preserved my inner world, my self, I am happy I can start building a new life, though my financial problems have not yet been solved,” she said. “But I know the way out.”
The organization has already created its website www.iаmstrong.org.ua, which has the page ‘Share Your Story’, and any woman that has suffered already has the opportunity to ask for help. The website also contains the Margarita Chervonenko’s blog, where women can have interactive conversations with her every day.
Ms. Chervonenko did not specify clearly with what funds the organization will be financed, however, she boasted that she was already establishing cooperation with the Dutch organization Mama Cash, which takes care of the women’s rights throughout the world, and the German organization Filia, Die Frauenstiftung. According to Margarita, these organizations are considering the possibility of providing her with a grant, and will also help to find qualified experts.
Margarita thinks that her primary task is to help women to understand that they are strong.
“After all, I could find strength in myself to live through the divorce,” she explained.
— Have you been able to separate the property with Yevhen Alfredovych in a civilized way? – the journalists asked.
— The financial issue still remains unresolved – the case is in courts… At present, my husband is using all the jointly acquired property.
— Once Mr. Chervonenko said that the divorce is your own fault because you did not agree to go to Zaporizhia with him, when he was appointed governor…
— When Yevhen was in politics, I was taking care of the family business, and it was impossible to quit everything all at once. I read his interview, and the words in which he tells about this, but, surely, these are not my words. Well, what else can I say?
— Do you communicate with him now?
— No. I have neither seen him nor heard of him for more than a year.
— Did you sign a prenuptial agreement with Yevhen?
— When we met with Yevhen, we had nothing to share or to mention in a contract.
In conclusion of her communication with press, Ms. Chervonenko wished everybody strong health and family happiness.
“Family values are the most important thing, and if our society were ideal, we would have no need of such an organization. But as long as a woman needs support, we will be providing it.”
Xenia Lesiv