Article

Gender equality in local government as a comp onent of effective p ublicadministration in Ukraine

Смаглюк, Вікторія Валеріївна

Myroshnychenko, Alina

Smaglyuk, Victoria

This article examines the role of gender equality within the local self-government system as a key component of effective public administration in Ukraine. It argues for the need to adopt gender-sensitive approaches in the work of local authorities in order to ensure democratic development, social justice and more effective administrative decision-making.

The article provides a comprehensive theoretical substantiation and analysis of the state of gender equality in local self-government bodies of Ukraine as a fundamental component of effective public administration. The author examines the evolution of national legislation and its harmonization with international standards, particularly the acts of the European Union and UN Conventions. The study identifies and systematizes the key barriers to parity governance, ranging from persistent patriarchal stereotypes to the “glass ceiling” within the higher civil service sector. Particular attention is paid to the practical tools of gender mainstreaming, including gender-responsive budgeting and the use of sex-disaggregated data within the framework of the “Gender and GovTech” concept. The transformation of women’s leadership under martial law is also explored, highlighting the role of women leaders in local communities as key actors in coordinating humanitarian headquarters and supporting internally displaced persons. It is proven that international technical assistance and municipal partnerships are critical drivers for implementing gender audits at the local level. The article provides practical recommendations for improving the professional competence of public servants and institutionalizing gender analysis as a mandatory prerequisite for successful post-war recovery and Ukraine’s European integration. The findings emphasize that gender balance directly influences the quality of decision-making, transparency in resource allocation, and the legitimacy of local authorities.

місцеве самоврядування

гендерно-орієнтоване бюджетування

децентралізація

жіноче лідерство

європейська інтеграція

цифровізація (діджиталізація)

gender equality

local self-government

public administration

gender-oriented budgeting,

decentralization

emale leadership

the European integration

digitalization of education

The academic journal "Investments: Practice and Experience"