Three-day UNFPA-supported course on the integration of gender equality in the work of the local authorities started today

"Gender equality is a human right. International law determined that women and men have the right to "equal pay for work of equal value", and in Ukraine, as you know, the pay gap is saround 30% not in favor of women, "- said Olga Osaulenko, UNFPA Programme Officer, welcoming the partcipants.

Representative of local authorities from 25 regions of Ukraine gathered in Kyiv for UNFPA-supported training on gender equality. Course participants discussed the issue of gender equality in Ukraine, practical means of improving the situation and measures to combat gender-based violence. Nataliya Fedorovych, Director of the Department for Family, Gender Policy and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine presented the legislative initiatives for the implementation of gender policy and emphasized on the need for practical steps. "Creating institutions that work in the field of combating violence is our and your duty", Ms. Fedorovych noted.

Over the next two days of the course, the participants will become familiar with services to combat gender-based violence and develop a state program providing equal opportunities for women and men.