On 21 August, the webinar “Gender Aspects in Resident Engagement” was held for 10 partner hromadas of the “Resident Engagement at the Local Level” direction of the Polaris Programme. The event became a continuation of programme support and another step in strengthening the capacity of hromadas to work openly, inclusively, and with consideration of the needs of different population groups.
Partner hromadas gained new knowledge and skills on integrating gender aspects into the process of developing hromada statutes, which they are currently working on.
Four Key Modules of the Webinar
1. Informing the hromada: different channels for different groups
Programme gender expert Yuliia Savielieva stressed that one-size-fits-all approaches do not work. Women and men, children and adults, families with children and single persons, military and civilians, people with disabilities and those living in vulnerable circumstances – all these groups have different levels of access to information. Therefore, hromada communication should be multichannel: from online platforms and social media to offline meetings, public announcements, or personal invitations.
2. Researching needs: leaving no one behind
The trainer emphasised that surveys, focus groups, or public hearings should reflect the diversity of residents. This helps avoid situations when decisions represent only the interests of an active minority while the needs of more vulnerable groups remain invisible.
3. Gender-sensitive statute: legitimising fairness
Participants were introduced to practical ways of embedding fairness in hromada statutes, including:
- adherence to human rights and the principle of gender equality;
- gender-balanced composition of permanent council commissions (as much as possible);
- conditions for involving diverse groups of residents in self-organisation bodies;
- equal opportunities for women and men in access to resources and benefits;
- special attention to the needs of the most vulnerable groups.
4. Gender-responsive budgeting: fair resource distribution
Experts highlighted that the hromada budget is “promises of the authorities translated into concrete reality” and should reflect the needs of women and men, girls and boys. Among practical steps:
- collecting budget proposals from different resident groups;
- holding public hearings that encourage active participation of both women and men across all settlements;
- presenting budget information in accessible, visualised formats;
- monitoring budget programmes with a focus on reducing inequalities.
Why It Matters
Polaris gender expert Yuliia Savielieva emphasised:
“Gender equality in resident engagement processes is the foundation of fairness and effectiveness. Only by addressing the needs of women and men, youth, people with disabilities, veterans, and other groups can hromadas make decisions that truly work for everyone.”
Next Steps
Participants of the webinar agreed on the need to integrate inclusivity principles into statutes, budget processes, and daily work with residents. The Polaris Programme will continue to support hromadas in this direction through consultations, trainings, and methodological materials.
Such initiatives contribute to making local democracy in Ukraine not only formal but genuinely inclusive, ensuring equal opportunities for all groups of hromada residents.
