Ukraine Officially Joins the “Biarritz Partnership”

Ukraine has received the official status of a Biarritz Partnership member. The organisation aims to fight for gender equality around the world.

The Presidential Office press service announced this.

“Within the partnership framework, Ukraine as a full participant undertakes commitments in five areas. Namely, they are the following: the development of barrier-free public space, friendly to families with children and low-mobility groups; teaching children the principles of equality between female and male; prevention of violence; reducing the pay gap between female and male; creating greater opportunities for men to care for children,” the statement said.

As French Ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins said during a solemn event dedicated to Ukraine’s entering to the Biarritz Partnership, “France is pleased to find a new partner and promote women’s and girls’ rights together. We hope that this cooperation will be long-term and fruitful. We also invite Ukraine to participate in the ‘Equality Generation’ Forum, organised by UN-Women, Mexico, and France to mobilise all those who work to establish equality between male and female and make ambitious commitments in this area.”

To recap, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supported the idea of Ukraine’s joining the international “Biarritz Partnership” in May. After that, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated the corresponding request of the Ukrainian government to the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic with an application on Ukraine’s permanent participation in the project.

Background

The Biarritz Partnership was founded by the leaders of G7 countries at a summit in Biarritz, France, on 25 August 2019, chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The initiative aims to strengthen the responsibility and consolidate the efforts of the international community to achieve gender equality.

Bohdan Marusyak