According to statistics, every third woman in Ukraine lives in rural areas. However, attention to the lives of women in the countryside is not very often attracted. We talk about fascinating Ukrainian landscapes, we dream about the development of local tourism, but we do not always remember that people are behind it. What do women from small villages live on, what do they dream about, what do they lack? We asked the women of the village of Tokariv about this, that near Novohrad-Volynskyi on the International Day of Rural Women

Lilia Boyko, village head
«I want to live here in the village. I like my village, I like what it has become. And if it continues to develop at the same level, then I am ready to do everything to make people live here. If I had a lot of money, I would do something to make people remember me and what I did for our village, so that it would be useful for everyone»
«My childhood was incredible. If now children cannot be driven out, we could not be driven into the house. The winter Kamyanka and the spinning top we made on the pond were the most vivid in my memories. There was always people and the happiest, loudest laughter was heard. This pond spinner was a business card of the village. As a child, I dreamed of growing up, although now I think it was very stupid (laughs)»
«We do not have enough cultural places to go to rest, but we will work on it. Compared to other villages, we have a high level of development, and this is our common merit. In the future I see my village developed, beautiful, civilized, European, modern. I want us to have many children and young people, and development does not stop there!»
«Once upon a time on our television there was a wonderful advertising idea with picturesque corners of Ukraine. As life has shown, we know very little about our state. I would really like to visit all those picturesque corners»
Oksana Zaruba, a saleswoman in a local shop
«I want to live in the village because it inspires me. Here I feel the taste of life: the smell of morning air, flowers, fresh vegetables and fruits. In the village I feel in my place. If I had a lot of money, I would plant bushes of fragrant flowers near each fence to be able to walk around the village and enjoy the harmony and delicate scents. I want to see natural beauty around me»
«I lack technical development, because the world is moving forward, and we are slowing down a bit. In the future, I want to see my village flourish, so that it does not stop development: there were more playgrounds, clubs, recreation areas and, of course, jobs»
«I remember when my whole family used to work on one thing or work, and after a hard day’s work, everyone always sat down to dinner together. And in such moments you understand that this is what a real Ukrainian rural family looks like»
«As a child, I had a lot of dreams, but most of all I dreamed of looking like my mother. She worked as an accountant, and I dreamed of being a saleswoman. And my dream came true!»
«I really like Italy: development, attitude to people, architecture, traditions. I want to go there with my family and have some rest»
Angela Jour, a student
«I have dreamed of traveling since childhood – I adore the beauty of my country. It is difficult to say whether I want to live in the village, because you can look at it from different angles. And all because the village is a certain romance, peace and comfort, but there are no opportunities to realize ourselves. Therefore, it is very difficult to answer unequivocally. If I had a lot of money, I would direct it to the development of my own village and the well-being of my family. This is very important for me»
«Family holidays are the most vivid memories of childhood, when we all gathered at a generously set family table, had carefree conversations, listened to important advice and shared life experiences»
«Most of all, I lack technical development. I want to work fully without borders, but, unfortunately, in the village it is not possible to do so yet. I want to see my village developed in all senses of the word: that the roads were good, the streets were tidy, there was a place for young people to rest and have fun, and that there were jobs»
Once upon a time, the dreams of our heroines will surely come true, and they will end their travels in different parts of the world in their native village, flourishing and modern. At least our women are worth it!