On 7-9 February 2024, a training on the Gender Oriented Governance programme was held for public servants and representatives of local authorities.

The event was organised by the High School in cooperation with the National Democratic Institute NDI and with the support of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy.

Ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men at the national and local levels is impossible without the introduction of gender-sensitive practices and approaches in management and decision-making processes. Local governments are increasingly introducing and practicing gender-responsive governance and budgeting as tools to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources and consideration of the interests of all citizens.

This was the focus of the opening session by Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, Yuliia Lykhach, Head of the Higher School of Public Governance, and Maria Veselovska, Coordinator of the Women Leaders Programme at the National Democratic Institute.

The participants learnt about gender strategies for sustainable development and gender-responsive governance. They discussed gender aspects of public service, gender analysis methods for making effective management decisions. We also discussed gender-oriented budgeting. In addition, they considered gender stereotypes and their impact on individuals and the situation with gender equality in the community as a whole.

The trainers who compiled the programme are Natalia Tarasenko, expert of the Research Institute for Gender Responsive Governance, Head of the Board of the NGO “Parity”, and Oksana Yarosh, consultant of the Research Institute, PhD in Political Science.

In addition, the High School provides for a cycle of professional development in the field of gender-oriented governance. The training aims to improve professional competencies in implementing gender approaches in the daily activities of public servants.