The Government is focused on making the tendency to reduce the gender pay gap sustainable and irreversible. This was stated by First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko during the presentation of the National Strategy for Eliminating the Gender Pay Gap in Ukraine until 2030, which took place with the participation of First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and representatives of relevant ministries. 

“Ukraine joined the Biarritz Partnership back in 2020. It envisages many different challenges to create equality in the country, and one of them is to reduce the gender pay gap. The Government of Ukraine made this commitment. The pay gap between men and women averaged 20.4 percent back then. And over the next year, it was slightly reduced to 18.6 percent. Unfortunately, the large-scale russian invasion has put all our endeavours and the development of the whole country on hold. The same happened with gender equality,” said Olena Zelenska.

“The gender pay gap is one of the key markers of both gender equality and economic development of the country. It shows whether women and men, and different populations in general, have equal access to different professions, including high-paying ones, and equal opportunities for professional fulfilment. Over the past seven years, the gender pay gap in Ukraine has decreased by 7.4% and currently makes 18.6%. This figure is higher than in many EU countries. And our goal is to change the situation. We are focused on making the trend of reducing the gender pay gap sustainable and irreversible. To this end, we need to overcome stereotypes of employers, women and society in general regarding professions. Modernize labour legislation to ensure equal pay. Help women increase their confidence that they can hold leadership positions, receive high salaries and be economically independent,” said First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The implementation plan of the National Strategy for Eliminating the Gender Pay Gap in Ukraine until 2030, inter alia, provides for:

1. Overcoming gender-based stereotypes and discrimination.

The plan is to conduct a large-scale information campaign for women “Of course you can” to convince them that they are capable of receiving greater remuneration for their work. As well as an educational campaign to raise women’s awareness of their rights and opportunities, which they can use to improve their professional level, acquire new, more demanded specialities in the labour market, including STEM and, accordingly, higher-paid jobs, and start or develop their own businesses in a short time. It is also proposed to introduce gender audits and exchange of best practices in implementing gender equality in the workplace.

2. Improving legislation on equal pay. 

Labour legislation is to be modernized – the new version of the Labour Law introduces the principle of equal pay for work of equal value regardless of gender, which will increase the effectiveness of judicial protection. Inspections by the State Labour Service will be introduced based on complaints of gender-based pay discrimination. A national methodology for gender-neutral job evaluation and training for labour inspectors and employers will also be developed.

3. Creating conditions for a convenient combination of family and professional responsibilities. 

In particular, it is proposed to facilitate the establishment and operation of public and private kindergartens, and to support organizations dealing with older children (such as Plast, the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, etc.) at the state level. Improve labour legislation to ensure equal treatment of employees with family responsibilities. It is planned to introduce training programs for employers to help employees balance professional and family responsibilities.

For reference:

Ukraine made a commitment to reduce the gender pay gap when it joined the international Biarritz Partnership in 2020 at the initiative of First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska. The goal of this international initiative is to achieve equal rights and opportunities in society and the absence of restrictions on any grounds.