“Equal opportunities for women and men are of utmost importance at the local level and an essential component of democratic societies” voiced Ukrainian elected representatives from Irpin, Kharkiv, Lviv, Mariupol, Slavuta, Zhytomyr, and other regions of Ukraine unanimously during the World Forum for Democracy 2018 on “Gender equality: Whose Battle?,” held in Strasbourg on 19-21 November 2018.
Drawing on the Forum discussions, laboratories and round tables, Ukrainian representatives committed to translate democratic innovations into strategic, yet practical approaches in their communities. Jointly with the Association of Ukrainian Cities, they set forth next steps to advocate for gender quotas and gender mainstreaming in legislation and relevant local policies. Ukrainian participants also shared the view that inclusiveness and equal opportunities is a joint venture for men and women, in which a stronger engagement of men is of utmost importance to achieve greater sustainability and meet the needs of all citizens.”
During the study visit to Strasbourg, Ukrainian participants discussed with the Ambassador Dmytro KULEBA, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe, the implementation of the Congress recommendations and resolutions on gender equality, on human rights, on voting rights of Internally displaced persons, as well as the prospects for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by Ukraine.
In the margins of the Forum, Ukrainian participants also exchanged views with representatives of Georgian local authorities on 22 November during a specific one-day workshop entitled "Gender equality at the local level: promoting participation and equal opportunities".
This study visit, which included the participation in the World Forum for Democracy and in the above-mentioned workshop on gender equality at local level, was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe's project "Strengthening democracy and building trust at local level in Ukraine". Implemented as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine for 2018-2021, this project aims to improve the quality of local democracy in Ukraine by strengthening institutional frameworks and by supporting local authorities and their national associations in their efforts to promote ethical decision-making and more citizen-oriented, inclusive, responsive and transparent local governance.
Contact:
- Marité MORAS, Head of Unit, Co-operation and External Relations Department, Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Tel: +33 3 88 41 22 33
- Svitlana GRYSHCHENKO, Project Manager, Council of Europe Office in Kyiv, Tel: +380 96 340 13 83
