President signs gender equality decree
DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE #1135/2005
On Improving Central and Local Governments’ Performance in Promoting Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men
In order to improve the effectiveness of public policy and the coordination of agencies of executive power in promoting equal rights and opportunities for women and men, I hereby decree the following:
1. Ministers and heads of other central and local agencies of executive power shall place one of their respective deputies in charge of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
2. The designated officials in ministries and other central and local agencies of executive power responsible for ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men shall organize and direct, within their purview, the work of relevant executive agencies with regard to:
the provision of equal rights and opportunities to women and men in relevant spheres of activity;
co-operation with non-governmental organizations, including women’s organizations, in order to collect and summarize available information on the current situation regarding equal rights and opportunities for women and men, and to identify effective ways to prevent gender discrimination;
the creation of equal conditions enabling women and men alike to reconcile work and family life, in particular by developing social services;
the raising of public awareness about gender issues and the formation of gender-related culture;
the enforcement of legislation on equal rights and opportunities for women and men;
attention to and analysis of citizens’ enquiries concerning the provision of equal rights and opportunities for women and men;
regular training programmes for local and central governmental officials in gender-relating issues;
the gender mainstreaming of local and central governments’ activities incorporating international best practices.
3. Ministers, heads of other central and local agencies executive agencies shall annually organize, develop and implement specific activities to promote and ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
4. Officials of central and local executive agencies shall be held personally responsible, in accordance with the law, for failing to execute their duties regarding the promotion of equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
5. The Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports will coordinate activities of the central and local executive agencies in regard to the promotion and protection of equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
Viktor YUSHCHENKO
President of Ukraine
26 July 2005
