Committee on Political Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy and Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society

Transcription

1 Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire Euronest Parlamentarische Versammlung Euronest Парламентская Aссамблея Евронест Committee on Political Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy and Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society Minutes of the meeting of Monday 31 October Tuesday 1 November 2016 Kyiv The meeting was opened on 31 October 2016, at 2:30 pm, with Political Affairs Committee (POL) Co-Chairs Mr Borys TARASYUK (Verkhovna Rada) and Mr Michal BONI (European Parliament) and Social Affairs Committee (SOC) Co-Chair Mr Georgi PIRINSKI (European Parliament) in the chair. 1. Adoption of draft agenda The draft agenda was adopted as tabled. 2. Opening statements, statement on behalf of the Presidency of the Verkhovna Rada The meeting began with a welcoming speech by Mr TARASYUK, Chairman of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the Euronest PA and Co-Chair of the Euronest PA Committee on Political Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy. POL Co-Chairs Mr TARASYUK and Mr BONI congratulated the Azerbaijani delegation on resuming cooperation in the Assembly and, in particular, on their participation in the present joint meeting of the Political and Social Committees. POL Co-Chair Mr TARASYUK expressed the conviction that the new Azerbaijani delegation to the Euronest PA would fully play its role in advancing cooperation within the Eastern Partnership, enhancing its activity and making the Assembly more visible and efficient. He also stated that the Georgian Parliament delegation was unable to take part in the meeting due to parliamentary elections that had just been held in the country. He then gave the floor to Ms Iryna HERASHCHKO, First Deputy Chairman of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, to welcome participants. Ms HERASHCHKO expressed her gratitude to Ms HAUTALA, Co-President of the Euronest PA, Mr TARASYUK and Mr BONI, Co-Chairs of the Euronest PA Committee on Political Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy, and to other representatives of national PV\ doc United in diversity

2 parliaments for their contribution to the development of the Euronest PA. She noted that the Euronest PA was an important platform for dialogue between Ukraine, the EU Member States and other Eastern Partnership countries. The Euronest PA, within the Eastern Partnership, was a platform on which to discuss topical issues of importance to both the EU Member States and the Eastern European partners. Referring to the agenda of the joint meeting of the Political and Social Committees, Ms HERASHCHKO emphasised the importance of considering specific issues such as the freedom, independence and objectiveness of mass media, gender equality and the struggle to restore women s and children s rights in Donbas and Crimea. On the latter issue, Ms HERASHCHKO added that the actions of the Russian Federation in Donbas and Syria were causing the deaths of women and children: it was only the nature of the weapons used in Eastern Ukraine that differed from the warfare in Syria. Emphasising the fact that the occupied territory of Donbas remained closed to international organisations, Ms HERASHCHKO deplored the cases of sexual and psychological violence against children committed by combatants. She also pointed to the following elements and statistics on Russian aggression in Ukraine: there were currently more than 1.7 million internally displaced persons in Ukraine, including women and more than children; in the last two years, 495 Ukrainian women and 68 children had perished, while children had been seriously injured in Donbas; Ukrainian soldiers had perished since the beginning of the conflict; 238 women were currently in captivity; Russian weapons had been widely distributed in the territory of Crimea; the Russian Federation had launched a second round of genocide against Crimean Tatars by prohibiting the activities of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and Crimean Tatar media; the detention of 30 political prisoners had been reported; all Ukrainian schools and media offices in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea had been closed. Addressing possible ways of resolving the Ukrainian-Russian conflict through reaching a political compromise, developing guidelines and holding elections in the occupied territories, Ms HERASHCHKO said that, in the context of the implementation of the Minsk agreements, the Normandy format was extremely important for Ukraine. However, in openly ignoring it, Russia showed disrespect for that format and for the Minsk agreements. As for holding elections in the occupied territories, Ms HERASHCHKO noted that for these to be possible not only would a permanent armistice be required, but a security plan would need to be fully implemented, Russian occupation troops withdrawn, border controls restored, hostages released and access to the occupied territories granted for Ukrainian media. Referring to recent changes in international humanitarian law, Ms HAUTALA (EP) raised the issue of the increasing role of women in guaranteeing and restoring peace. Ms HERASHCHKO noted that due to the armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine, women had been forced to accept significant human losses, but were also increasingly involved in formal 2/12 PV\ doc

3 and informal peace-making processes, or had become volunteers. The Ukrainian authorities strongly promoted such activities, in particular by ratifying the Istanbul Convention, increasing the number of military positions open to women, and strengthening parliamentary control over the country s security forces. Concluding on the issue of inter-parliamentary cooperation, Ms HERASHCHKO underlined the need to strengthen cooperation within the Euronest PA, as well as within other platforms such as the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in which Ukraine was trying to assert its independence and to seek respect for the life and health of its population. Members asked questions about the issue of internally displaced persons. In answer, Ms HERASHCHKO noted that the vast majority of those persons had been integrated into local communities, and it was difficult to distinguish them from local populations. Also, many internally displaced persons had had the opportunity to move their businesses from the occupied territories, or to start all over again. At the same time, these people still needed assistance, and their rights still needed to be protected. 3. Approval of the minutes of the meetings of the Euronest Committee on Political Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy and the Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society held on 21 March 2016 in Brussels The minutes of the meetings of the Political and Social Committees held on 21 March 2016 in Brussels were approved as tabled. 4. Election of the Eastern Component s Co-Chair of the Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society Members elected by acclamation Ms Malahat IBRAHIMGIZI (Azerbaijani delegation) as Co-Chair of the Euronest PA Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society (SOC). 5. Presentation by and exchange of views with Mr Thomas FRELLES, Chargé d Affaires, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine on the preparation of the 2017 Eastern Partnership Summit POL Co-Chair Mr BONI introduced the point on the preparation of the next Eastern Partnership Summit, which was scheduled to take place during the Estonian presidency of the EU Council, in Brussels, in the second half of He reminded participants of the main priorities determined during the Riga Summit of 2015, including the strengthening of institutions and good governance, mobility and people-to-people contacts, market opportunities and interconnections in the energy and transport sectors. Since then, political and economic changes had occurred both in the EU and in the Eastern Partner countries, as well as in the neighbouring countries. Referring to the conflicts in the Eastern European partner countries, the migration crisis in Europe, the ongoing war in Syria, the terrorism threat, and strained relations with Russia, he emphasised that all those issues affected the foreign and domestic policies of the EU and Eastern European partners and constituted a very good reason for strengthening security cooperation. At the same time, in order to stabilise PV\ doc 3/12

4 society in the Eastern European partner countries, it was also necessary to address economic development. Mr Thomas FRELLES, on the preparation of the Eastern Partnership Summit, first highlighted the result of the monitoring exercise on four main cooperation areas conducted in spring 2016, as established by the 2015 Riga Summit: the strengthening of institutions and the provision of good governance, the use of market opportunities, the growth of communication mobility and people-to-people contacts, and the strengthening of cooperation in the energy and transport areas were all priority sectors which would also support positive economic dynamics and improve the business climate in the Eastern European partner countries. The next monitoring analysis would take place on 14 November Mr FRELLES emphasised the expansion of EU cooperation with the Eastern European partners, due to the emergence of new challenges such as the digital economy, climate change, cybercrime and migration. He also noted that in order to find solutions to the migration crisis, multilateral cooperation was required. Mr FRELLES underlined the contribution of the Euronest PA to the Eastern Partnership s development as, according to him, the Assembly was the only permanent platform that brought together national MPs from the Eastern European partners with MEPs. He also noted that the work carried out by the Committees, including political and social aspects to be discussed during the meeting, was particularly appropriate. The European External Action Service looked forward to the recommendations contained in the Committees reports on freedom of media within the EU and the Eastern European partners, and on the situation of women in the labour market of the Eastern European partners. POL Co-Chair Mr TARASYUK drew attention to the issue of the EU-Ukraine visa-free travel regime. POL Co-Rapporteur Ms FAJON (EP) noted that the European Parliament had fully supported Ukraine and Georgia on visa liberalisation. However, EU internal discussions on a visa waiver suspension mechanism, which had been initiated as a result of the outbreak of the migration crisis, had delayed the process of granting a visa-free regime for short-term stays by Ukrainian and Georgian citizens in the EU. Ms FAJON was of the opinion that the European Parliament should be given more weight in the EU decisionmaking process to trigger, prolong or revoke the visa waiver suspension mechanism. During the discussion, Members proposed that a joint document be prepared on key cooperation issues under the Eastern Partnership on the eve of the 2017 Summit. The document would include migration, as a political issue that was common both to EU Member States and the Eastern European partners. In addition, they raised the issue of regional cooperation. In particular, they considered the Black Sea region as part of the Eastern Partnership geographical area which can provide opportunities for practical cooperation in sectors such as tourism, trade, culture and transport infrastructure. 6. Exchange of views on the situation of and prospects for media freedom, independence and integrity in the EU and Eastern European partners POL Co-Chair Mr TARASYUK reminded the participants that the Political Affairs Committee had chosen media freedom, independence and integrity as the topic of its 4/12 PV\ doc

5 ongoing report. He noted that media freedom was an essential element for well-functioning democracies. - Introductory remarks by Ms Emine DZHAPAROVA, First Deputy Minister, Ukrainian Ministry of Information Policy Ms DZHAPAROVA reported on her Ministry s areas of work, and also focused on difficulties observed with regard to the exercise of the freedom of speech and media in the occupied territories of Donbas and in Crimea. The occupying forces were counteracting Ukrainian media activities, threatening the lives of citizens who supported Ukraine, and harassing journalists who reported on the real situation in the occupied territories. - Presentation by Political Affairs Committee Co-Rapporteur Ms Tanja FAJON, MEP, on the preparation of the report on Ensuring media freedom and integrity in the EU and Eastern European partners POL Co-Rapporteur Ms FAJON presented a working document in preparation of the Committee s report and reminded participants of current issues affecting mass media. In particular, she pointed to digital/online media, which nowadays can also constitute an extremely dangerous propaganda tool. Ms FAJON also noted that allowing oligarchs to concentrate media ownership was a worrying trend. In general, the EU had expressed its readiness to Eastern European partners to hold a constructive dialogue to improve the media situation, and to establish appropriate monitoring of media activities. Mr Igor ROZKLADAI, lead expert of the RPR media group, remarked that Soviet-style bureaucracy still existed in Ukraine and that this was hampering the development of the country in every way. He also gave some recommendations for resolving delicate legislative issues in Ukraine, particularly concerning the establishment of an independent public TV and radio broadcaster, the improvement of media financing, access to archives for the purposes of research and dissemination of information, and improvement of the education system. POL Co-Chair Mr BONI then summarised the discussion and concluded that the report should also address issues such as information warfare, propaganda and digital media channels (including geo-blocking1, portable content and access to it). Attention should also be paid to conditions for respecting the principle of the impartiality of state-owned media. 7. Exchange of views on the protection of women s rights, the promotion of gender balance and women s access to the labour market in the Eastern European partners SOC Co-Chairs Mr PIRINSKI and Ms IBRAHIMGIZI introduced this item on the agenda. SOC Co-Chair Mr PIRINSKI emphasised that gender equality was one of the common European values and needed to be promoted. 1 Geo-blocking is a discriminatory practice based on online customers nationality, place of residence or place of establishment that prevents them from accessing and purchasing products or services from a website based in another state. PV\ doc 5/12

6 - Introductory remarks by Ms Nataliya FEDOROVYCH, Deputy Minister, Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy Ms FEDOROVYCH focused on the issue of gender equality. She noted that the elimination of all forms of discrimination and respect for gender equality were guaranteed by Ukrainian legislation, and constituted an important part of Ukraine s European integration course. She also pointed out that, according to the Ukrainian Law on Ensuring Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men, a number of strategic documents had been adopted (in particular, the national strategy in the field of human rights, which had been approved by the Government of Ukraine at the end of 2015, and the National Action Plan on Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 13/25, approved in February 2016). Those documents defined gender equality as a fundamental value. Ukraine had also approved a public administration model in which gender equality was defined as a fundamental part of the public administration strategy. Ms FEDOROVYCH emphasised that the objective of increasing the number of female representatives among the country s public authorities was an ongoing one. Therefore, the 2014 amendment to the Law on Political Parties and the adoption of the Law on Local Elections were intended to help resolve the problem of women s under-representation in public and political life. Under the Ukrainian regulations in force, a 30 % quota for women had been introduced, but implementation of those provisions was a problem. Ms FEDOROVYCH expressed the opinion that one of the key reasons was the lack of political responsibility for complying with those regulations. On the other hand, a certain improvement had been registered as regards posts filled by women in executive power bodies. The gender ratio among senior civil servants in the first and second categories of posts had increased from 28 % to 31 % since Ms FEDOROVYCH expressed her faith in the ongoing positive trend. However, she noted that enrooted gender stereotypes regarding the social roles of women and men constituted obstacles to the expansion of women s political and economic rights and opportunities. In this regard, the Ukrainian Government, together with the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine, had developed and approved a training course and published a handbook for media representatives on gender equality and non-discrimination. On 18 October 2016, on the occasion of the EU Anti-Trafficking Day, a broad information campaign using digital billboards, light boxes and special information videos had been organised together with local authorities (which was important for the process of decentralisation in Ukraine). Ms FEDOROVYCH also drew attention to the fact that, since mid-october 2016, the Ukrainian information policy strategy had targeted gender equality issues, such as ensuring equal rights and opportunities, resistance to domestic violence and fighting against human trafficking. The experience of other countries in removing gender stereotypes (e.g. the role of women in performing household chores) was very important to Ukraine. She noted that the situation in the Ukrainian labour market remained strained and was characterised by a fall in employment and rising unemployment. The following statistics were provided (for the first half of 2016): - The employed population aged 15 to 70 was 16.2 million people, while the employment rate was 56.2 % (for comparison, in the first half of 2015, the number of employed people was 16.4 million, and the employment rate was 56.5 %); - The number of people who were on leave without pay was ; 6/12 PV\ doc

7 - The number of employees transferred to a part-time schedule for economic reasons was people or 5.5 % of the average number of full-time employees; - Employees with working time reduced to 2/3 were mostly industry workers, and over 12 % of transport and warehouse workers; - The number of unemployed people was 1.7 million, and the unemployment rate, according to ILO methodology, was 9.4 % of the economically active population; - The number of employed women aged 15 to 70 was 8.5 million, and the employment rate among women was 51.5 % of the economically active population; - In terms of employed population by employment status, 86.6 % of women were wage workers, and 12.3 % were self-employed; - The number of unemployed women was According to ILO methodology, the unemployment rate among women was 7.5 %, compared to 8 % in the first half of It was noted that in order to improve the situation in the labour market, the government was working with employers to create more opportunities for workers with family responsibilities, in order to successfully combine career and family. Moreover, women accounted for 26 % of small business managers, 15 % of managers of medium-sized enterprises, and 12 % of managers of large enterprises. Competitions had been organised in order to encourage employers to implement corporate policies supporting parents who return to work after parental leave. Two such examples were The best employer for promoting reintegration of parents into the labour market, and The best reportage on a return to work after parental leave (among journalists only). In addition, employers were expanding the network of nurseries in their organisations so as to ensure favourable conditions for workers with small children. - Introductory remarks by Ms Oksana YURYNETS, MP, on behalf of the Gender Caucus of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ms YURYNETS outlined the main problems associated with the representation of women in parliament, in particular the electorate s stereotypical approach during elections. She noted that ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men in the electoral process was possible through the introduction of gender quotas. The question of maternity leave was also discussed. It was mentioned that the longest period of parental leave in Ukraine was up to three years with the possibility of extension up to six years. Parental leave was also now often given to men, which had never been the case in the past in Ukraine. According to Ms YURYNETS, the number of women in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine had increased sixfold since independence: from 2 % in 1991 to 12 % now. However, these figures were still below the average in European countries of around 23 %. Ms YURYNETS added that 7 out of the 28 Verkhovna Rada Committees were currently headed by women. - Presentation by Social Affairs Committee Co-Rapporteurs Ms Maria GRAPINI, MEP, and Ms Natalia VESELOVA, MP, Ukraine on the preparation of the Committee s report on The situation of women in the labour market in the Eastern European partners SOC Co-Rapporteur Ms GRAPINI noted that the Eastern Partnership clearly defines gender equality as a fundamental value. She added, however, that as the implementation of women s rights and gender equality required further political impetus, all Eastern European PV\ doc 7/12

8 partners had developed programmes or strategies to improve the status of women in their countries. According to Ms GRAPINI, promoting gender equality strategies, providing expertise for the legislative process, and supporting the full engagement of women in the labour market would be big steps forward. She also underlined the need to ensure the proper monitoring of these processes. While agreeing that all the issues mentioned were important both for the Eastern European partners and the EU Member States, SOC Co-Rapporteur Ms VESELOVA noted that Articles 2 and 3 of the EU Treaty define gender equality as one of the main founding principles of the EU. Although the situation in the labour market of the various Eastern European partners was not the same everywhere, there were some general tendencies. She suggested that special attention be paid to promoting the participation of women in politics in order to increase their role in the decision-making processes. Ms VESELOVA added that the current legislation in Ukraine contained some tools to encourage political parties to promote women s participation in political life, for example by linking the allocation of state budget financing to political parties to their performance in monitoring gender-related norms. Ms KHODAKOVA, a representative of the Open Society NGO, made reference to the Global Fund data in noting that women in politics had the weakest position in Ukraine. Greater participation by women in politics should be a priority, and use of the media in this respect was extremely important. Ms KHODAKOVA underlined that the establishment of the inter-faction associations, both within the parliament and at local level, played a significant role in supporting female politicians and candidates, and in combating negative forces such as stereotypes, corruption, and women s doubts about their leadership abilities. SOC Co-Rapporteur Ms GRAPINI proposed the creation of a joint programme in each country to change the mentality. She also emphasised the need to appoint more women to senior government and political positions. POL Co-Chair Mr TARASYUK noted that there were already examples of female politicians in the history of Ukrainian government such as Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Minister of Education and Science Liliya Hrynevych, Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna KlympushTsintsadze, Acting Minister of Health Care Ulana Suprun, and also the Deputy Chairwomen of the Verkhovna Rada Irina Herashchenko and Oksana Syroyid. While emphasising that women were already represented in senior public positions in Ukraine, Mr TARASYUK spoke about the need to increase the number of women present in politics overall. 8. Planning and preparation of the Political Affairs and Social Affairs Committees activities for 2017 SOC Co-Chair Mr PIRINSKI informed participants about the scheduling of the next two joint Committee meetings, which would be held in the spring of 2017, and ahead of the sixth plenary session of the Euronest PA in the second half of He also mentioned the proposal by Ms DOMTI (Moldova) to establish a working group on the mutual recognition, harmonisation and organisation of social protection in the EU and the Eastern European partners. It was acknowledged that these issues were complex and required detailed discussion. The Chairman of the Moldovan Delegation to the Euronest PA and Ms DOMTI were invited to send written proposals on this issue to the Chair of the Social Affairs Committee. 9. Any other business 8/12 PV\ doc

9 None. On behalf of the European Parliament s Delegation, SOC Co-Chair Mr PIRINSKI thanked the representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Chairman of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the Euronest PA for their hospitality. POL Co-Chair Mr TARASYUK concluded by noting that the discussions of the items on the agenda had been constructive and thanked all Members for their cooperation and participation. The meeting was closed at 6:00 pm. Encl. list of attendance PV\ doc 9/12

10 Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire Euronest Parlamentarische Versammlung Euronest Парламентская Aссамблея Евронест Committee on Political Affairs, Human Rights and Democracy and Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society 31 October 1 November 2016 Kyiv List of participants VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE Members (7) Ms Iryna HERASCHKO Mr Borys TARASYUK, Co-Chair, POL Committee Mr Vitalii KURYLO Mr Oleksander KODOLA Ms Natalia VESELOVA, Co-Rapporteur, SOC Committee Mr Vitalii KORCHYK Mr Ivan KRULKO Secretariat Ms Liudmyla PROTASKO, Secretary Mr Bohdan FERS THE GOVERNMT OF UKRAINE Members (2) Ms Emine DZHAPAROVA Ms Nataliya FEDOROVYCH EUROPEAN PARLIAMT Members (7) Mr Michal BONI, Co-Chair, POL Committee Ms Tanja FAJON, Co-Rapporteur, POL Committee Ms Maria GRAPINI, Co-Rapporteur, SOC Committee 10/12 (Poland, EPP) (Slovenia, S&D) (Romania, S&D) PV\ doc

11 Ms Heidi HAUTALA, Euronest PA Co-President Mr Karol KARSKI, Member, POL Committee Mr Valentinas MAZURONIS, Substitute Member, POL Committee Mr Georgi PIRINSKI, Co-Chair, SOC Committee (Finland, Greens/EFA) (Poland, ECR) (Lithuania, ALDE) (Bulgaria, S&D) Secretariat Mr Yves MAISONNY, Administrator Ms Szidonia FOGARASI, Assistant Political Groups Mr Vincenzo GRECO, Political Adviser, S&D Ms Sylwia KOSINSKA, Political Adviser, EPP Ms Egle KROPAITE, Political Adviser, ALDE EP Interpreters Mr Vikentiy SHYMANSKYY Mr Victor SHEVCHKO Mr Vladimir BURDKOV MILLI MAJLIS OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN Members (2) Ms Malahat IBRAHIMGIZI, Co-Chair, SOC Committee Mr Rasim MUSABEYOV, Co-Rapporteur, POL Committee Secretariat Mr Vugar MAMMADOV NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMIA Members (2) Mr Artak ZAKARYAN Ms Karine ATSHEMYAN Secretariat Ms Hripsime MNATSAKANYAN, Secretary PARLIAMT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA Members (1) Mr Dimitru DIACOV EU DELEGATION TO UKRAINE Mr Thomas FRELLES, Chargé d Affaires Mr Sergei POLYUK, Sector manager Mr David STULIK Mr Tanel TANG COUNCIL OF EUROPE Ms Lesia PARNO-KYRYIKO, Project manager PV\ doc 11/12

12 List of invited MASS MEDIA and ORGANISATIONS ON GDER ISSUES MASS MEDIA Ms Diana DUTSYK, PO Detector Media Ms Angelina KARIAKINA, Chief editor, Hromadske UA Mr Oleksandr KHARCHKO, Ukrinform Ms Tetiana KHARCHKO, Fundraiser, network coordinator, Hromadske UA Ms Natalia LIGACHEVA, Editor-in-chief of Detector Media Mr Kyrylo LOUKERKO, Hromadske radio Ms Kateryna MARKOVA, Hromadske TV Zaporizhia Ms Ludmyla MEKH, President of the All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation Journalist Initiative Honoured Journalist of Ukraine Mr Vasyl MYROSHNYCHKO, Partner at CFC Consulting, Co-Founder of Ukraine Crisis Media Center Ms Sevgil MUSAIEVA, Editor-in-Chief of Ukrainska Pravda Ms Lesia PARNO-KYRYIKO, Project manager, Council of Europe Ms Svitlana PINCHUK Mr Igor ROZKLADAJ, Public broadcasting Ms Oksana ROMANIUK, Institute Mass Information Mr Taras SHEVCHKO, Director of Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law (CEDEM) Mr Vitalii SIZOV(FF), Donetsk Institute of Information ORGANISATIONS ON GDER ISSUES Ms Maria ALEKSEKO, Women s Consortium of Ukraine Ms Olena DAVLIKANOVA, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Ms Olena YA Ms Vira KARAYCHEVA, Women s Consortium of Ukraine Ms Nataliya KARBOWSKA, Ukrainian Women s Fund Ms Svitlana KHODAKOVA, Open Society Ms Kateryna LEVCHKO, La Strada-Ukraine Ms Vira POROVSKA, Women s Consortium of Ukraine Ms Yulia SAVELIEVA, Main gender expert Ms Nina SVITAYLO, Project director, Sumy State University Ms Olena SUSLOVA, Women s Information Consultative Center 12/12 PV\ doc