Within the project “Strengthening capacity of local elected authorities", the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities organised with the Association of Ukrainian Cities, in Kyiv on 21 and 22 February, a workshop on challenges and opportunities related to gender equality at local level in Ukraine. This event gathered together representatives of national and local authorities from Ukraine who debated and exchanged with peers and representatives of national associations of local authorities from Finland, Italy, Serbia, Sweden, and the South-East of Europe (NALAS). Barbara Toce, Vice-President of the Congress, underlined “the crucial role of local authorities in integrating a gender perspective and equal opportunities in practices and procedures”. She also highlighted “the central role that national associations play in ensuring the promotion of gender equality at local level”.

The respective project aims to improve the implementation of democratic principles in Ukraine by enhancing the institutional and leadership capacities of local elected representatives, and by disseminating nation-wide good practices of local democracy.

Ukraine joined the Council of Europe on 9 November 1995, ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government on 11 September 1997 and its Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority on 2 September 2014. Countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter imposes compliance with a minimum number of rights and principles, which are the European bedrock of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe ensures respect for these principles.

Contact:

Marité MORAS, Head of Unit, Co-operation and External Relations Department,
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe,
E-mail: [email protected]