Today we are creating a new focal point for democratic, value-based growth in Europe emphasized Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, while participating online in the Strategic Session "Ukraine's Further Steps to Ensure Gender Equality on the Path to the EU".

She emphasized that every Ukrainian was now fighting for victory in the war on his or her own front and, at the same time, for a common Ukrainian European future and the values of freedom and equality.

The official noted that despite the full-scale war, Ukraine continued to implement gender equality reforms. The State Strategy for Ensuring Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men and the Strategy for Implementing Gender Equality in Education have been adopted. The Istanbul Convention was ratified, and legislation was adopted to ensure equal opportunities for mothers and fathers of military personnel to care for their children during martial law.

Olha Stefanishyna also reminded that in late June 2022, Ukraine had received an EU candidate status and emphasized that a big task was ahead - the transition to European standards in all spheres of life, including gender equality.

"Despite the great work that has been done, we still have work to do in ensuring equal rights and opportunities for everyone. For example, there is a significant gender pay gap in Ukraine, further improvement of legislation is needed to ensure equal opportunities in the labor sphere, and the existing anti-discrimination legislation is not sufficient. Combating and preventing gender-based violence should be a separate area."

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the Roadmap for Ukraine's Approximation to EU Standards on Gender Equality served as a guideline on this path. She also said that the Government was thinking about post-war European recovery based on the principles of sustainable development, non-discrimination, and equality: "It's not just about cities and buildings. It is primarily about people and for people."

Olha Stefanishyna emphasized that further work was also needed to fully protect and support victims of sexual crimes in russia during the war.