Women in Ukrainian politics and civil society, with a brief history intro and 2 possible scenarios of further development. Presented in DC in 2014.

1. UKRAINE: WOMEN IN
POLITICS
Iryna Fedets
Atlas Corps and CIPE fellow
The Heritage Foundation
2014

2. 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

3. Halshka Hulevychivna
• Founder of Kyiv Fraternity
School (1615)
• This school later developed
into Kyiv Mohyla Academy
(a National University now)

4. 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

5. 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

6. Parliamentary group “Equal opportunities”

7. Modern Ukraine (continued)
• Active in NGOs
• Participated in the “Euromaidan” protests in winter 2013-
2014
• Programs to monitor gender equality in politics

8. Ruslana – singer, activist

9. Olha Bohomolets – doctor, activist,
presidential candidate

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

11. 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

12. 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