Currently, according to the official statistics presented recently by the Ministry of Social Policy, unemployment rate for women in Ukraine is higher than for men and the pay gap has increased to nearly 30%. Mostly, women are employed in areas where wages are lower, while working hours are longer. Women in Ukraine run around 26% of small businesses, 15% of medium size and only 12% of large-size businesses. According to the global women empowerment ranking, Ukraine occupies 118th place out of 180 countries.

 

The State Programme introduces a set of policy priorities and target-level indicators of economic activity and employment of women, reducing gender pay gap and increasing the representation of women in the government. In addition, the Programme recognizes equal sharing of family responsibilities between men and women as a separate issue. This priority will be addressed by the Ministry of Social Policy through a number of legislative initiatives. Another area of significance identified by the Programme is conducting awareness campaigns involving the media and educational institutions to overcome gender stereotypes.

 

Adoption of the 2014-2016 State Programme for Ensuring Gender Equality in Ukraine is an important safeguard for human rights protection and establishment of democratic principles, as well as a part of the international obligations of Ukraine. Early 2014 will see Ukraine's periodic reporting to the CEDAW on the progress made on gender equality.