Employment centers of Chernihiv region will contribute to ensuring gender equality and the principles of non-discrimination in the labor market

On February 10-11, 2015, a training on the topic “Gender Equality and Combating Discrimination in the Sphere of Labor Relations” was held in Chernihiv for employees of district employment centers of Chernihiv region. The trainers of the event were representatives of the International Women’s Human Rights Center “La Strada – Ukraine” – Maryna Lehenka and Anna Sayenko.

During the event, a number of problems were highlighted, including the gap in wages between men and women, the difference in life expectancy between men and women, the level of representation of women in politics, discrimination in the employment of women and other issues.

“All these areas require special attention and the establishment of the principles of gender equality,” the trainers emphasized. – After all, the list of types of discriminatory actions that were not previously considered as such has expanded.

The spread of gender sensitivity among civil servants became a priority direction during the event. The legal framework of work and the practical knowledge gained during the training will be integrated into the work of employees of district employment centers of Chernihiv region in the future, which will allow them to review their life skills and behavior models with clients. And this, in turn, will ensure equality of women and men in employment and will contribute to expanding the legal opportunities of citizens who suffer from discrimination of their labor rights.

The participants of the training actively discussed cases of discrimination and gave examples, both from their own lives and those that they had to encounter in practical work, and also learned to evaluate the materials provided regarding their gender orientation, identified vulnerable categories of employees and tried to find ways to overcome discrimination.

According to employment center specialists, awareness of legislation related to equality between women and men and social benefits is a guarantee of more effective protection of the rights of both the unemployed and the employed.

The participants of the event came to a common opinion that understanding the concept of “discrimination” is the basis for the fight to eradicate this phenomenon.

The training was organized by the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights with the assistance of the All-Ukrainian Coalition for Legal Aid.