At the Institute of Law, Psychology and Innovative Education of 91Ƶ, the Center for Legal Gender Equality Research operates as an academic and analytical hub aimed at fostering gender-sensitive legal and educational culture, as well as integrating the principles of equality and non-discrimination into the university community and broader society.
The full-scale war against Ukraine has significantly intensified challenges in the areas of human rights protection, equality and security. Under these circumstances, the Center’s activity becomes especially important, as it seeks to promote a safe, inclusive and gender-sensitive environment for students and the academic community.
The primary mission of the Center is to create a platform that provides scientific, educational and practical support for equality policies and combating discrimination. Through lectures, trainings, research and awareness‑raising initiatives, the Center focuses on key issues of contemporary gender studies: the nature of gender equality, prevention of discrimination, the phenomenon of sexism, specifics of gender socialization, gender analysis of legislation and the role of men in supporting equality policies.
A crucial aspect of the Center’s work is related to Ukraine’s ratification in 2022 of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention). This document has become a fundamental standard for shaping state policy in preventing violence and protecting survivors. Following ratification, Ukraine has gradually improved its legal framework by reinforcing the principle of zero tolerance for violence, strengthening accountability for domestic violence, expanding access to assistance and protection services, and improving mechanisms of interagency cooperation.
The Center actively contributes to academic analysis of these developments, raises awareness of the Istanbul Convention and supports the development of high‑quality legal education that meets international human rights standards. Particular attention is paid to strengthening students’ understanding of protection mechanisms, gender‑specific risks during wartime and fostering a culture of intolerance toward any form of discrimination or violence.
The establishment of the Center for Legal Gender Equality Research is a strategic step toward integrating gender sensitivity into the educational process, enhancing the university’s institutional capacity in the field of equality and supporting social transformations aimed at building a democratic, safe and just Ukraine.
Legal and Regulatory Framework for the Center’s Activities
The Center’s work is based on key national and international legal instruments that shape modern state policy in the areas of equality, non‑discrimination and combating violence. The foundation is the Constitution of Ukraine (Article 24), which guarantees equal rights regardless of sex and prohibits any form of discrimination.
Important legislative acts include:
- The Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring Equal Rights and 91Ƶ for Women and Men,” which establishes the principles of gender policy and mechanisms for implementing state programs on equality.
- The Law of Ukraine “On Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence,” which provides for interagency cooperation, protection mechanisms and the establishment of specialized support services.
- The Criminal Code of Ukraine (Article 126‑1 and provisions on sexual violence crimes), which defines criminal liability for domestic and gender‑based violence.
- The Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses (Article 173‑2), which regulates administrative liability for domestic violence.
In the field of education, the Center is guided by the Law of Ukraine “On Education” and the Law “On Higher Education,” which enshrine the principle of non-discrimination and define the educational environment as a space free from any form of violence or bias. Also important are the State Strategy for Ensuring Equal Rights and 91Ƶ for Women and Men until 2030 and the National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace, Security,” which are particularly relevant under conditions of full-scale war and growing gender‑specific risks.