Overcoming gender inequality in Ukraine: political, legal, social and educational dimensions

Abstract

The issue of gender equality as an equal treatment of all, regardless of social or other circumstances, is important for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and the implementation of a number of international legal instruments to combat gender discrimination. The study aims to characterize the state of gender inequality in Ukraine and outline possible ways to overcome this phenomenon through the use of political, legal, socio-practical and educational measures. It is carried out using a systematic analysis of international and domestic indicators of gender inequality that constitute the methodological basis for establishing the level of gender inequality, as well as regulatory analysis of documents adopted by international and domestic organizations. The undertaken analysis demonstrates that Ukraine has an extensive legal framework designed to ensure equal rights and opportunities for men and women, address gender discrimination, and harmonize Ukrainian and international gender policies. At the same time, the gender equality indicators (Gender Inequality Index used by the UN; Gender Gap Index used by the World Economic Forum), the results of sociological research (World Values Survey; use of domestic work; leisure practices) evidence that the issues of gender inequality, gender asymmetry and gender stereotypes are unresolved and require the introduction of institutional mechanisms to ensure equality. Such mechanisms could include: legal expertise, gender quotas, gender budgeting, work with local communities and social service providers, ensuring gender sensitivity of services, including social ones, formation of gender-based competence, implementation of promotional work, introduction of gender approaches in educational institutions.

Gender inequality in the labour market of Ukraine

“…Yes, it should also be noted that women have significantly lower incomes from entrepreneurship and independent economic activity. This is because the predominant areas of female entrepreneurship are usually trade and household services, which do not yield large profits compared to male self-employment (Onishchik et al, 2020). However, in Ukraine, in recent years, there have been various initiatives (mainly from international and non-governmental organisations) to combat discrimination in the labour market and other areas, for example, the cancellation of the 'List of Prohibited Professions for Women' approved in 2018 by the Ministry of Health, the launch of the STEM 1 Girls Initiative, support for small business owners through training and grants, the HeForShe Congress, and the information campaign Happiness in Four Hands Project, which explains why gender equality is as important for men as it is for women.…”