26 September 2017, 15:15
“We do appreciate collaboration with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in the gender equality and women’s rights protection spheres”
It was said today by I.Herashchenko, the First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, at a meeting with Melanne Verveer, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office on Gender Issues.
In the course of the discussion, the lady politicians have talked over the increasing role of women in peacekeeping processes in Ukraine; a towering figure of women enrolled in the Armed Forces of Ukraine; introduction of a gender equality context in the law enforcement authorities, inclusive dialogue, endeavours taken by lady politicians, public activists, volunteers to achieve peace; tackling humanitarian problems in the Donbas, and liberation of the hostages.
Particular attention was paid to the security and humanitarian situation in the Donbas, protection of the internally displaced persons’ rights, most of which are women and children. There was also scrutinized a knotty process of the hostages liberation, which has for a year been pending.
The President’s initiative to deploy the UN peacekeepers over the whole Donbas occupied, including the Ukraine-Russia border section was highlighted by Iryna Herashchenko.
The Ukraine’s reforms issue was also touched upon. Judicial, pension, medical reforms, privatization are set high on the Parliament’s agenda. The members of parliament are now considering a very important draft bill altering a series of Ukrainian codes, which is capable, once adopted, of streamlining many legislation and business issues vital for the country.
In turn, Melanne Verveer delivered her assurances that the OSCE would keep on consulting Ukraine on introduction of the gender equality policies in the country.
NB…
Melanne Verveer is the executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security at Georgetown University, a founding partner of Seneca Point Global, a global women strategy firm, and a co-founder of Seneca Women. Most recently, she served as the first United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, nominated by President Barack Obama in February and confirmed by the United States Senate in April 2009. In that role, she directed the Office of Global Women’s Issues. Previously, Verveer served as the Chair and Co-CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership, which she co-founded with Hillary Clinton in 2001. Vital Voices is a global NGO that supports emerging women leaders who are advancing economic, political and social progress in their societies. During the Clinton Administration, Verveer served as Assistant to President Bill Clinton and Chief of Staff to the First Lady Hillary Clinton. Among her duties was overseeing Hillary Clinton’s global initiatives on women’s rights as human rights.