Equality economy: Why leading Ukrainian companies are implementing the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and how businesses in Dnipro, Odesa, and neighboring regions can join free practical training

Modern Ukrainian businesses have reached a stage where having a strong product alone is no longer enough to drive growth and expansion. To enter new markets, attract financing, and establish European branches, companies need modern management systems. Today, advancing gender equality and inclusion has evolved from being merely a “social initiative” into a powerful tool for business growth, increased market value, and access to international markets.

To help regional companies unlock new opportunities for development, applications are now open for the practical three-day WEPs Implementation Training organized by UN Women in Ukraine, which will take place in Dnipro (29 June – 1 July 2026) and Odesa (13–15 July 2026).

Why is implementing WEPs beneficial for companies?

• Direct growth in revenue and market value. According to analysts from the International Labour Organization (ILO), nearly 50% of companies worldwide report measurable improvements in financial performance after implementing equality-focused initiatives. Furthermore, companies with gender-balanced leadership teams outperform competitors by an average of 14% in market value. Diverse perspectives contribute to more innovative products and a better understanding of customer needs.
• Participation in global supply chains. When selecting partners and suppliers, major international corporations increasingly consider ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria. Implementing WEPs makes a company more attractive to large international brands, opening access to major contracts and procurement opportunities that have often been beyond the reach of small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Access to investments and grants. In 2026, the European market became more demanding due to the new EU Pay Transparency Directive. According to the Equileap Gender Equality Report 2026, 74% of European companies now officially report on measures ensuring the absence of discrimination. For Ukrainian businesses, alignment with WEPs standards provides a significant competitive advantage—and in some cases is a prerequisite—when applying for international grants or seeking European investment to support growth and expansion.
• A more resilient workforce in times of change. The Women in the Workplace 2025 report by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org found that employees in companies with transparent and equitable workplace cultures are 47% more likely to stay with their employers. This allows businesses to reduce the costs associated with constant recruitment and retention challenges and instead focus resources on growth and development.

“Gender equality is not only a matter of rights, but it also includes dimensions of empowering women, and one essential aspect is women’s economic empowerment, WEE is a driver of business performance, innovation, as well as long-term resilience and inclusive recovery. Companies that create equal opportunities for women and men and gender responsive work places are better positioned to attract and retain talent, be profitable, access new markets, strengthen partnerships, and meet international standards. UN Women aims to equip businesses in Dnipro and Odesa with practical tools to implement the WEPs and turn their commitment to concrete actions, turning gender equality and gender responsive policies and practices into a competitive advantage that supports both business growth and Ukraine’s sustainable recovery,” says Lina Rylander, UN Women Ukraine’s women’s economic empowerment programme specialist.

What will companies gain from the training?

• A clear understanding of the WEPs: Insights into how global gender equality standards work in real business practice and how they can be adapted to the size, context, and needs of a specific company.
• An objective assessment of internal processes: Practical tools to analyze the current state of the organization, identify areas for improvement, and define clear priorities for strengthening management systems.
• Practical knowledge for integrating equality policies: Step-by-step approaches to implementing modern corporate practices across various operational areas—from recruitment and pay equity to internal safety and workplace protection protocols.
• Enhanced reputation and transparency: The ability to communicate a company’s commitment to equality in a clear, open, and responsible manner, strengthening its employer brand and increasing trust among clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Self-assessment and reporting tools: Introduction to international WEPs monitoring and reporting approaches that help companies continuously improve performance and provide credible data for international donors, grant-makers, and investors.

Who can participate?

Applications are invited from representatives of:

• Public and private companies that are potential WEPs signatories; 
• Business associations that are potential WEPs signatories; 
• Newly joined WEPs signatories; 
• Existing WEPs signatories that have recently appointed new focal points or responsible personnel. 

Participation in the training is fully free of charge. However, the number of places is limited to 25 participants per city to ensure meaningful engagement and in-depth work on company-specific cases. Selection will be conducted on a competitive basis, with preference given to highly motivated applicants.

For the Dnipro training, priority will be given to business representatives from Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and neighboring regions, including Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kharkiv, and Kherson oblasts.

For the Odesa training, priority will be given to participants from Odesa Oblast and neighboring regions, including Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, and Cherkasy oblasts.

The registration form is available here. 

Application deadlines:

• Dnipro: 23 June 2026 
• Odesa: 7 July 2026 

The WEPs Implementation Training is organized within the framework of the UN Women Ukraine’s Strategic Note (2025–2029) through the financial support of the governments of Austria, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Finland, France, and Sweden.