Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded on Monday, “If every housewife in Ukraine can really produce drones, then every housewife in Ukraine can be the CEO of Rheinmetall.”
The CEO of the German defense giant Rheinmetall referred to the main Ukrainian drone manufacturers as “housewives” in an interview with The Atlantic last Friday. He compared them to “craftswomen” who have 3D printers in their kitchens and produce parts for drones. He stated, “It’s not innovation.”
In response, President Zelensky said, “If every housewife in Ukraine can really produce drones, then every housewife in Ukraine can be the CEO of Rheinmetall.”
There was a quick backlash to these comments, with Ukrainian President’s adviser Alexander Kamyshin emphasizing that Ukrainian women work in arms factories as equally as men and deserve respect.
Prime Minister Ioulia Svyrydenko highlighted the essential contribution of Ukrainian women in sectors previously seen as male-dominated, such as the military and defense industry. The controversy sparked the hashtag #MadeByHousewives on social media, humorously embraced by Ukrainians.
Rheinmetall tried to clarify its stance on Sunday by stating, “We have the utmost respect for the immense efforts made by the Ukrainian people to defend themselves. Every woman and man in Ukraine contributes immeasurably.”
