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Ensuring gender equality at work is not a "fad," but an effective mechanism that allows you to create an inclusive environment within the team, increase employee motivation, and even improve performance indicators. The Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are the tool that will help achieve these results faster.

WEPs provide a comprehensive approach to achieving gender equality in the workplace. They cover aspects from fair working conditions to supporting women's career development. According to the World Bank, only half of women are present in the labor market, compared to 80% for men. Regarding pay, for example, in Ukraine before the full-scale Russian invasion, the gender pay gap was 18.6%. This figure is lower than the global average but higher than in many EU countries. WEPs are designed to help ensure equal pay for work of equal value.

On September 17-19 in Lviv and November 26-28 in Kyiv, training on WEPs implementation will be held for organizations and businesses. The training sessions will last for 3 days. By participating in the events, companies will become more familiar with WEPs and how to apply them in the workplace, as well as develop approaches and a vision for ensuring gender equality within their teams.

"We collaborate with businesses, the private and public sectors to create innovative solutions, employment, and resources that can bridge gender gaps in the world of work and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Companies that invest in women and support their leadership in decision-making, as well as commit to gender equality, typically outperform their competitors. The Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) offer an excellent platform for change. We are confident that the implementation of WEPs by private and state-owned companies, civil society organizations, and business associations is crucial for the sustainable and inclusive economic recovery of the country," said Lyudmila Kovalchuk, Project Coordination Analyst at UN Women Ukraine.

Each training session will invite 25 participants.

Registration - follow the link.

Who can apply for training:

• Business owners;
• Representatives of state and private companies (management level);
• Representatives of civil society organizations;
• Representatives of business associations.

In 2025, online training is also planned.

The training is free of charge. Expenses related to the training process, as well as accommodation and meals, are covered by the organizers. Travel expenses to the training locations are covered by the participating organizations independently.

"WEPs are crucial for improving the employment situation for women in Ukraine. They provide fairer working conditions, greater attention to women's professional development, and create real opportunities for their career growth. As a result, women have more chances to hold leadership positions and develop professionally," summarizes Iryna Tytarchuk, Executive Director of the Ukraine Investment and Trade Facilitation Center"

Disclaimer:

The training on the implementation of the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) is implemented within the framework of the "Expanding Women's Opportunities in Business" initiative, which is carried out within the project "Transformational Approaches to Achieving Gender Equality in Ukraine," implemented by UN Women with the financial support of the Government of Sweden in cooperation with the Office Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.

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Ukraine Investment and Trade Facilitation Center

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itfcua

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/itfc-ukraine/

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Background:

The Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a set of seven principles that serve as a tool to guide businesses in promoting gender equality and empowering women in the workplace, labor market, and society. Through their implementation, companies change their approaches to supporting women, protecting their rights, and treating them fairly in the workplace.

"Empowering Women in Business" is an initiative to raise awareness, conduct training, and provide informational support to representatives of the private sector to improve their professional skills in implementing the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and implementing relevant programs, as well as to facilitate the creation of new partnerships with private companies, business associations, and NGOs to promote gender equality and expand women's economic opportunities.

"UN Women" is the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It is the leading body coordinating the work of the UN system in the field of gender equality. It is a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly, established by the Assembly's decision in 2010 to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women worldwide, increase the efficiency of using available resources, and consolidate the mandates and functions of individual UN system units that dealt exclusively with gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Office Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine ensures the implementation of state policy to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men in Ukraine and the corresponding coordination of interaction between central executive bodies.

Ukraine Investment and Trade Facilitation Center is an independent non-profit organization specializing in supporting the development of small and medium-sized businesses, promoting the implementation of women's economic empowerment initiatives, trade, and export.