The Gender Causes In Ukraine Within Transformation Period.

Transcription

1 Kulachek Olga, Post-Graduate Student of UAPA The Gender Causes In Ukraine Within Transformation Period. " the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields" (CEDAW, p.1) Social science affirms that a woman s place in society marks the level of civilization (Elizabeth Cady Stanton ( ). On the eve of the new century, we live in a time of accelerated change. Almost every aspect of our lives is being reshaped - from relationships within our families to relationships in the global community, and, of course, relationships between women and men. The quest for gender equality has been a vigorous and vital stream of change in Ukraine in the last ten years, a current that cuts across all the issues of the day and touches each of our lives. Gender equality, by definition, involves both women and men as partners in the quest for fairness and in the benefits of equality. These changes will be vital to the future well-being of our daughters and sons. Ukraine ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Form of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in The Convention sets out, in legally binding form, internationally accepted principles on the rights of women which are applicable to all women in all fields. The basic legal norm of the Convention is the prohibition of all forms of discrimination against women. This norm cannot be satisfied merely by the enactment of gender-neutral laws. In addition to demanding that women be accorded equal rights with men, the Convention goes further by prescribing the measures to be taken to ensure that women everywhere are able to enjoy the rights to which they are entitled. The Fourth World Conference on Women held in Bejing in September 1995 made a huge impact on the promotion of women's and gender equality issues in Ukraine. If we look at the changes within Ukraine, we may notice some positive changes. First, the number of women in our Parliament has doubled (in %, in nearly 8% of all members in the Verhovna Rada elected in are women). A Representative of Human Rights (Ombudsman) was nominated for the first time Ukraine and the position is held by the woman - Nina Karpachova. The first woman 1

2 Minister - Susanna Stanik - was appointed in In 1999, Ukraine had its first women Vice-Prime-Minister - Julia Timoshenko. The Presidential elections that took place in October-November 1999 had make it possible to elect woman as the President of Ukraine. Among the countries of the former USSR it is, perhaps, the second case. And while in Latvia Vaira Vike- Freiberga became the President, in our country Natalia Vitrenko on October 31 got 10,97% of votes and finished in fourth place. Unfortunately the average Ukrainian woman has scarcely felt these changes. As in much of the world, Ukrainian society operates in ways that lead to discrimination based on gender. Ukrainian woman continues to be in a position of dependence and unequally: 70% of unemployed are woman, the average women s salary constitutes only 72% of men s one. Women are still largely responsible for the care of children and old people in the family. The erosion of the family benefits and the childcare infrastructure supported in the past women worked on average 73 hours per week, 34 hours at the work place and 39 hours at home. While man worked only 60 hours, 41 hours at the work place and 19 hours at home. These factors negatively impact upon the well-being of women, men and their children [4]. The negative processes emerged due to transformation of Ukrainian society became definitely complicated women status, essentially make worse their position in governmental organizations and politics. One of the displayed factor inequalities of women in public administration sphere is their poor involvement into managerial activity. Policy guidelines and actions to ensure equality and equity for men and women require adequate data, but there is a lack of gender-sensitive data in Ukraine. The cultural, social, psychological, environmental, demographic and political context has to be researched, and an integration of sciences must be accomplished in this field. There are many problems and questions to be raised, but in this paper I tend to deal with the following issues: institutional mechanisms to improve the status of women and gender equality women and power the rate and composition of civil servants considering gender I think it is worth mentioning some statistical data and key concepts and rationale about gender. 2

3 I. KEY CONCEPTS AND RATIONALE ABOUT GENDER Only a small proportion of the difference in the roles assigned by gender can be attributed to physical differences based on sex (such as pregnancy and childbirth, or differences in physiology and bodily functions). SEX identifies the biological differences between women and men. GENDER is the culturally specific set of characteristics that identifies the social behaviour of women and men and the relationship between them. Gender, therefore, refers not simply to women or men, but to the relationship between them, and the way it is socially constructed. Because it is a relational term, gender must include women and men. Like the concepts of class, race and ethnicity, gender is an analytical tool for understanding social processes. GENDER EQUITY is the process of being fair to women and men. To ensure fairness, measures must often be available to compensate for historical and social disadvantages that prevent women and men from otherwise operating on a level playing field. Equity leads to equality. GENDER EQUALITY means that women and men enjoy the same status. Gender equality means that women and men have equal conditions for realizing their full human right and potential to contribute to national, political, economic, social and cultural development, and to benefit from the results. The principle of equality between women and men is embedded in the Constitution of Ukraine (Article 24). However, same treatment was found not necessarily to yield equal results. Today, the concept of equality acknowledges that different treatment of women and men may sometimes be required to achieve sameness of results, because of different life conditions or to compensate for past discrimination. Gender equality is therefore the equal valuing by society of both the similarities and differences between women and men, and the varying roles that they play [1, 3]. 3

4 2.INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS TO IMPROVE THE STATUS OF WOMEN The Fourth World Conference on Women made a huge impact on the promotion of women's and gender equality issues in Ukraine. It particularly affected those countries, which had regained independence in the 1990s, since they took part in the World Conference on Women for the first time. National report to the UN on the status of women required statistical analyses and supplementary research. In Ukraine as well as in some other countries NGOs also compiled separate part of report. The study and evaluation of women's status and position was a starting point for the formulation of the main problems, and the beginning of activities towards the advancement of women and gender equality. National machineries started to be built or developed, and plans of action drafted as a follow-up to the Beijing Conference [2, 26]. Table 1 indicates the status of national machineries in the Sub-Region. Table 1 COUNTRIES WITH NATIONAL MACHINERIES IN PLACE (1998) Country Initiation of NM Highest Present Government Level Albania 1993 Women and Family Directorate Croatia 1995 Commission of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the Issues of Equality Czech Republic 1998 Department Concerning the Equality of Women and men at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Estonia 1996 Bureau of Equality in the Ministry of Social Affairs Hungary 1995 Office for Equal Opportunities in the Ministry of Social and Family Affairs Lithuania 1994 State Counselor in the Prime Minister's Office Macedonia 1997 Unit for Development of Gender Equality in the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy Malta 1989 Parliamentary Secretary for Women's Rights within the Office of the Prime Minister Moldova 1997 Sub- Commission on Equal Opportunities under the Commission on Human Rights Government Plenipotentiary for the Family Poland Romania 1996 Department of Women's Affairs in the Ministry of Labour and Slovakia Slovenia Ukraine This is addition by author 1996 Social Protection Co-ordinating Committee on Women's Issues Issues Policy Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Section on Women, Protection of Family, Maternity and Childhood of the Cabinet of Minister Ministry of Family and Youth Affairs 1 4

5 Approval of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action indicates that governments themselves took on responsibility for their implementation. All governments had to present their own national strategies and plans for action by end of They were to establish, or to improve the effectiveness of national machineries for the advancement of women. National institutions in Ukraine In 1996 the Presidential Decree designates the responsibility for the advancement of women to the Ministry of Family and Youth Affairs. One of the main objectives of the Ministry of Family and Youth Affairs was to develop a general strategy and to define priority lines for the State policy regarding family, women, children and youth issues, as well as to develop specific measures oriented at the improvement of social status of a woman and creation of equal possibilities for men and women in all spheres of life in society. In 1998 a Gender Council was created within this Ministry. The Gender Council is an analytical and consultative body under the State Committee on Family and Youth Issues. Council is in charge of co-ordination and co-operation between the Ministry, governmental bodies and women's NGOs. However it doesn't have a clear mandate for implementing government policies relating to empowering of women in Ukraine. The Ministry became the part of State Committee of Youth, Tourism and Sport after the last reforming of the structure of central state executive bodies (December 1999). The Departments on Family and Youth Affairs are also functioning at the regional level. But Ukraine now experiencing negative trends. Indeed, the newly established State Committee of Youth, Tourism and Sport does not to be very concerned with women s and equity/equality problems. Legal guarantees for equal gender status The principle of equality between women and men is embedded in the Constitution of Ukraine (Article 24). The equality of rights of women and men is guaranteed by: providing women equal possibilities to men in public, political and cultural activities, in obtaining education and professional training, in employment and benefits; special measures regarding occupational safety and health care of women, pension facilities, creating conditions for women to combine employment and motherhood; legal protection, material and moral support of motherhood and childhood, including paid leaves and other benefits for pregnant women and mothers. 5

6 The equal opportunities policy in human political life are also provided by the Constitution of Ukraine (Article 36) where stated the rights of Ukrainian citizens (that means women as well) to be member of political parties and public organisations to realize and protect their rights and freedoms and to satisfy their political, economical, social, cultural and other interests. The right of citizens (both women and men) to join free into political parties and public organisations is also ensured by the General Declaration of Human Right and Law of Ukraine On Associations of Citizens. Concerning women rights to take part in third sector it is additionally amended by provision being legally guaranteed the right to take part in governmental management in Constitution of Ukraine (Article 38). Women Have rights to elect free and to be elected into central and local government authorities. Other laws such as the Code on Marriage and the Family, Labour Code, Law of Ukraine On Public Service includes the guarantee for equal treatment of women and men. However, there is no law in force specifically addressing equal gender status. Moreover, procedures for implementing the existing laws that make reference to equality between women and men and no-complaint mechanisms need to be developed. Action plans were also not adopted by all of the post-communist countries. The status of national action plans is presented in Table 2 [2,27]. Table 2 DATE OF ADOPTION OF AN ACTIO PLAN AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE BEIJING CONFERENCE (1998) Country Date of adoption Albania 1996 Bulgaria 1996 Croatia Czech Republic Hungary Lithuania Malta 1996 Moldova Poland Romania Slovakia 1997 Ukraine The National Plan of Action (NPA) based on the Beijing Platform of Action was developed by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in The government of 6

7 Ukraine allotted resources for its implementation. But NPA has no areas of priority. The priority areas have been defined such as: women and poverty, education and training for women, women in power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women, women and human right, women and economy, women and environment, etc [4]. But there is no separate legislation on gender equality in Ukraine. We have only the project of the Law of Ukraine About the state guarantee of equal rights and opportunities for men and women. There is also no vigorous national machinery to change the situation, to implement parity democracy, and to influence gender equality issues. Although "de jure" the equality between women and men is provided by law, this is not always the case "de facto". Inequalities and unbalanced situations are still present in various areas, especially in the Ukrainian political arena. 2. WOMEN AND POWER According to the Universal Human Rights Declaration each person has the right to participate in governing the state. Emancipation and independence of women, their active participation in making political decisions and in state management can create conditions for a stable development of the country. The inequality between men and women in the sharing of power and decisionmaking at all levels has been identified in the Beijing Platform for Action as one of the critical areas of concern. The Platform calls upon Governments, the international community and civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector to take strategic action in the critical areas of concern. International statistics shows that on average, women represent a mere 10 percent of all elected legislators world-wide and in most national and international administrative structures, both public and private, therefore they remain underrepresented. In Ukraine more than the half of those who are employed in the national economy are women but they are inadequately participating in governing the state and economy. Commonly accepted state policy has not sensitivity to gender, however structure of administration bodies formed as pyramid: the higher social status means rather low number of women in these positions. Just recently only 2 Ukrainian women have been promoted as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister. Only 6 women act as deputy minister, among members of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine their number are 2 persons. The emergence of women in positions of real power is very slow (the average - 4%). 7

8 Statistical evidence concerning women in power One major criteria that is taken into consideration when compiling the Human Development Report of a country is the Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM), which measures women s economic, political and professional participation. It is a composite index, which encompasses three variables that reflect women s participation in political decision-making, their access to professional opportunities and their earning power. The highest country, Sweden, has a GEM of (out of a maximum of 1.0.), while the lowest has a GEM of (Afghanistan), and only about 9 countries have agem greater than According to the UNDP Human Development Report for 1998, Ukraine had a GEM of in This figure has decreased to in 1996, which shows a reduction by 2.5%. The Human Development Report Further stated: Ukraine has specific structure of women representation: there are more women than men in the mid-level. There is less parity in administrative and managerial offices, the higher position, the lower the number of women. The same is true for representation of women in the national legislature. 3.THE WOMEN S RATE IN CIVIL SERVICE. Before speaking about civil service I want to offer general information on Ukrainian population. 23,7 million men and 26,8 million women give the 50,5 million inhabitants of the country. Women s rate in the population is 53 %. 2 Figure 1 2 Data for January

9 THE POPULATION OF UKRAINE men 47% women men women 53% The total number of civil servants (central and local administration etc.) is about It means that the rate of civil servants is about 0,45 % compared to the number of inhabitants. 3 Figure 2 THE RATE OF CIVIL SERVANTS (DATA IN JANUARY 1998) civil servants inhabitants The total civil service workforce grew relatively rapidly from in 1991 to in 1997 and to in 1998.By international standards, the central civil 3 In February 2000 the number of civil servants in the central administration decreased, therefor, their number is less 9

10 service in Ukraine is small. Its relative size compared to other CIS and European countries is shown in document of the World Bank [5,10]. Examining the composition of the number of civil servants we can see the rate of gender. 73 % of the civil servants are women and 27 % are men. THE RATE OF GENDER IN CIVIL SERVICE Figure 3 women men Returning to figure 3 it is obvious that women provide the greater part for civil servants. Roughly the rate is two-third / one-third for the benefit of the women. What does it mean? Does it mean that the women s rate of civil servants follows the women s rate of population? Does it mean that civil service is much less paid, therefore men avoid it? Does it mean that civil service provides safe and easy or difficult job, consequently, women prefer to be civil servants? Shall we be satisfied with the women s rate of civil servants, especially at top levels of government. Women s participation at decision-making levels and in executive power structures in Ukraine is marginal. Women face discrimination every day. Fighting against such discrimination means professional involvement and better representation of women in all levels of government and politics. Actually women have the same qualification as men do, their ability to manage an organisation, to solve the problems is the same in the Ukrainian civil service, their number is double of men s and according to some international polls. The woman s sensitiveness together with their professional knowledge enables them to be leaders. 10

11 Public Servants in executive positions (1999) Тable 4 Category Summary Men Women % І ІІ ІІІ ІY Y YI Summary % 50% 0% І ІІ ІІІ ІY Y YI Жінки Чоловіки Public Servants in administrative support positions Тable 5 Category Summary Men Women % ІІІ IY Y YI YII Summary * It s data of State Statistic Committee 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% ІІІ IY Y YI YII Жінки Чолов іки 11

12 A clear regularity can be traced: the higher level of administration - the fewer women is represented there. A kind of society democratisation paradox has become obvious in recent years: women have been debarred from real participation in upper and middle levels of government even more visibly.. This is well seen for example of the elections to the Supreme Rada of Ukraine where women are hardly represented. There are several reasons for it: The fact that women have limited access to economic and political decisionmaking power acts as a further constraint to beneficial societal change. The constraints that the belief structure imposes are compounded by inadequate awareness and knowledge of gender issues throughout society, from governmental officials to media executives, from education practitioners to health workers. The modern transformation period of Ukraine history discovers vacuum caused by disappearance of previous structures that are based on formal of equality principles. Such vacuum is seen through all communities levels and directly fluent to female status. The research is necessitated by the lack of gender sensitive data for Ukraine essential for political decisions, legislative drafting, development and implementation of national and regional programs, dialogue and partnership between public and private sectors and NGOs; community development; effective human resource management. Feministic movement In Ukraine There are about 150 women s organisations in Ukraine, but only some of them are politically active. November 1999 will be remember as sparking the women s movement in Ukraine. On November 17-19, 1999 the All-Ukraine Conference on gender equality and development Women of Ukraine on the Threshold of the New Millennium: Problems and Perspectives took place in Sudak. The Conference has been initiated by women s NGOs under support of the Crimea Integration and Development Programme and the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The representatives of the government and the Parliament took part in the Conference, along with 300 representatives of NGOs and initiative groups from 27 regions of Ukraine, including experts and specialists oriented in gender problems. The representatives of Canada, USA, Albania and Turkmenistan also attended the Conference. The following issues were discussed: Woman and Economy Woman and Power Woman and Violence 12

13 Woman in Social Sphere Woman and Conflict Prevention etc. The Conference has adopted the Declaration, which state that the government of Ukraine with support of the regional and international institutions and NGOs will participate in the implementation of the adopted Programme of CONCLUSION: 1. There is a lack of balance and harmonious gender relations in Ukraine, even though according to the Article 24 of the Ukrainian Constitution all person are equal before the law independent of the gender-legal equality has not been sufficient to remove de facto inequalities between men and women. There is also no vigorous national machinery to change the situation, to implement parity democracy, and to influence gender equality issues. 2. There are no special legislative acts to engage the problem of gender equality in Ukraine. Regulations concerning gender equality in the field of labor are not being respected, so a legal basis to enable equality policies to be implemented is urgently needed. 3. Policy guidelines and actions to ensure equality and equity for men and women require adequate data, but there is a lack of gender-sensitive data in Ukraine. The cultural, social, psychological, environmental, demographic and political context has to be researched, and an integration of sciences must be accomplished in this field. 4. There is the lack of knowledge in the field of gender equality issues on different levels, beginning with schools and ending with universities, starting with the grass-roots level and ending with parliament and government. 5. Women s participation at decision-making levels and in executive power structures in Ukraine is marginal. In order to raise the number of women in public positions, the Government should promote affirmative action or adopt specific legal documents to promote women s position of power in politics. Attention should be paid to appointing more women to position in national, regional and local executive bodies. 6. Finally I d like to emphasise that since the society is bipolar, the balance should be permanent, not only in theory, but in practice as well. 13

14 References 1. Gender-based analysis: a guide for policy-making. Working document / Status of Women.Canada Gender in Development: Handbook for CEE and Baltic countries. Vilnius- Bratislava, The democracy development issues and equal rights maintenance for women and men in Ukraine within transformation period. Scientific report.- Kyiv Women of Ukraine on the Threshold of the New Millennium: Problems and Perspectives. / Papers of the All-Ukrainian Conference. Ukraine, Ukraine: Civil Service Transition. Volume I. Main Report and Annexes. Document of the World Bank. Public Sector Management Group. Poverty Reduction / Economic Management. Europe and Central Asia Region