Verkhovna Rada makes progress in introducing gender auditing into its normal work routine
09 July 2020, 11:54
“Gender auditing is to be conducted at the parliament annually,” -- Viacheslav Shtuchnyi
On July 7, 2020, during an online webinar "Gender-oriented approach in the budgetary process", the Chief of Staff of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Secretariat Viacheslav Shtuchnyi spoke about the implementation of gender policy at the Parliament.
In March 2020, there was signed a gender audit decree and were approved relevant methodological recommendations. A systemic auditing would be conducted at the beginning of each year. Organizational and administrative documents are also to be checked for gender sensitivity, he explained.
"We pay particular heed to gender policy issues at the Parliament. As of today, the ‘Gender Budgeting in Ukraine’ Project is the world’s largest in terms of implementing a gender-oriented budgeting. It’s important that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has joined in this work and started cooperating with experts to implement this approach in the work of the VRU Secretariat," Viacheslav Shtuchnyi elaborated.
The Chief of Staff then added there had recently been signed a memorandum of understanding between the Secretariat and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The document ordains having a gender audit on the accessibility of parliament’s buildings and promoting gender equality in accordance with international experience.
During the webinar, participants learned about the principles, practical experience of applying a gender-oriented approach in the budgetary processes and its application for drafting regulations.
Viacheslav Shtuchnyi thanked the experts involved in the “Gender Budgeting in Ukraine” Project for their cooperation and training the VRU Secretariat’s staff.
For reference. The “Gender Budgeting in Ukraine” Project started in Ukraine in 2013 and would run until 2021. It’s implemented with the financial support of the Swedish Government through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to provide advisory support to the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine in implementing gender-responsive budgeting practices.