On March 4, 2025, Kyiv hosted the first-ever presentation of a comprehensive assessment of gender equality in Ukraine according to European standards. The final results of the Gender Equality Index (GEI) were unveiled with the participation of Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice of Ukraine; Katarína Mathernová, EU Ambassador to Ukraine, and others.
The event showcased a comprehensive analysis across six key domains: Work, Money, Knowledge, Time, Power, and Health. According to the results, Ukraine ranked 20th among the 27 EU countries + Ukraine in the overall GEI score, demonstrating figures closest to the European average in the Health, Money, and Time domains.
"EU countries regularly conduct assessments in areas related to fundamental principles, the rule of law, and human rights—just as Ukraine does now as part of its accession negotiations. This process will become permanent for us as a full EU member. Early in the negotiation process, together with the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, we initiated this assessment based on EU methodologies, even before full EU accession. The Index provides a clear picture of gender equality at the policy implementation level, offering a full spectrum of insights into Ukraine's challenges, strengths, and progress across key areas of life," said Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.
Ukraine demonstrated a high score in the "Time" domain, exceeding the EU average, due to the strong involvement of both women and men in charity and volunteer activities. However, a gender imbalance remains in the "Power" domain, where women are underrepresented in leadership positions.
Progress has also been noted in the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, strengthening the fight against gender-based violence. Ukraine’s ratification of the convention in 2022 marked a significant step in expanding protection mechanisms for survivors and combatting violence.
"While it is easy to discuss gender equality and European integration, we must remember the real lives behind the statistics—women who have suffered immense losses during the war. Ukraine’s progress in gender equality, from ratifying the Istanbul Convention to advancing progressive legislation, sets an example for Europe. However, the brutal consequences of war continue to impact the most vulnerable, particularly women facing new challenges. The first Ukrainian Gender Equality Index will play a crucial role in shaping well-informed policies to address these needs. On March 27, an event in Kyiv will provide a platform for open dialogue between women leaders and those who need our support the most—because true progress requires both policies and genuine motivation for action," emphasized EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová.
Government representatives, members of parliament, and international organization representatives discussed how the Index can support Ukraine’s reform efforts and EU integration, as well as its role in post-war recovery.
The calculation of Ukraine’s GEI took 1.5 years. The next step is to enhance state institutions' capacity to apply European data collection and analysis methodologies, institutionalize the Ukrainian Index, and conduct calculations on a regular basis. This will allow for a more effective evaluation of progress in gender equality and the development of new democratic policies based on data.
"We are incredibly proud that Ukraine is the first country to calculate its Gender Equality Index during an active phase of war. While some indicators could not be fully assessed due to war-related challenges, our experts from the Institute of Demography developed a methodology to fill in the missing data. The European Institute for Gender Equality has confirmed the correctness of our calculations and compliance with standards, so we hope to continue using this tool in the future and institutionalize it at the state level," said Olesia Bondar, Director of the Ukrainian Women's Fund.
The Gender Equality Index is a tool that measures the state of equality between women and men in key areas of life. Developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), it has been used across EU countries since 2013 to assess progress in gender balance, improve policymaking, and support European integration strategies.
The preparation of the Ukrainian Gender Equality Index was made possible with support from the EU, efforts by the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. The event was funded by the European Union as part of the project "Gender Analytical Centers Network: Strengthening Capacity for Policy Development, Impact Assessment, Strategic Advocacy, and Focused Policy Communication," implemented by the Ukrainian Women's Fund.
