UKRAINE: WOMEN IN POLITICSIryna Fedets

Atlas Corps and CIPE fellow

The Heritage Foundation

2014

Women in Ukrainian history• Middle ages:

• Brief periods of women-rulers of some territories

• Princess Olga brings Christianity to Kyiv

• Modernity:• Education • Charity

• Endowed schools• Supported monasteries,

churches

Halshka Hulevychivna• Founder of Kyiv Fraternity

School (1615) • This school later developed

into Kyiv Mohyla Academy (a National University now)

XIX and XX century • XIX century: first women’s organizations • Early XX century: women participate in political

movements (Lesya Ukrainka), wars for liberation

• 1920s: first women from Ukraine in Polish Seim and Senate

• Soviet Union: state-controlled emancipation

Modern Ukraine• Low representation in politics:

• 10% of MPs are women (8% in 2008-2012) • 1 out of 20 ministers is a woman

• UN Millennium goal: minimum 30% of either gender in the parliament by 2015

• 2013 Gender Gap report: Ukraine is on the 64th position out of 136 countries • 27 in education, 30 in economic participation• 75 in health, 119 in political participation

• Barriers: • Lack of time, finances, connections• Poor development of political parties

Parliamentary group “Equal opportunities”

Modern Ukraine (continued)• Active in NGOs• Participated in the “Euromaidan” protests in winter 2013-

2014• Programs to monitor gender equality in politics

Ruslana – singer, activist

Olha Bohomolets – doctor, activist, presidential candidate

Tetyana Chornovol – journalist, activist, chief of anti-corruption bureau

Future scenarios• Negative:

• War, instability• Security issues on the agenda• Shift of public opinion towards popularity of “strong”, “military” types

• Positive: • Gradual growth of women in legislature, government• Recruitment from NGOs

Thank you!• Iryna Fedets

• Atlas Corps and CIPE fellow in the Heritage Foundation • Worked in a think tank and a political party in Ukraine

@irkeyshn

Iryna Fedets