Ukraine invests over UAH 500M in women entrepreneurs - Economy Ministry

The state has already invested over UAH 500 million in the development of small and medium-sized women's businesses through grants.

Deputy minister of economy of Ukraine Tetyana Berezhna stated this at the forum "Resilience in Action: Lessons from Ukrainian Women in Business" held at the London Stock Exchange as part of the Conference on Ukraine's Recovery, Ukrinform reports citing Ukraine's Economy Ministry.

"The Ministry of Economy offers a number of support programs for women to provide them with more opportunities. Over 2,000 women entrepreneurs have already received such grants from the state and are implementing their business projects, starting new companies, developing existing ones, creating new jobs, paying taxes, and keeping our economic frontline. In total, the state has already invested over half a billion hryvnias in the development of small and medium-sized women's businesses through grants," Berezhna said.

She recalled that the government is consistently working to close the gender pay gap and to approve the relevant national strategy and action plan in this area, which is expected to last until 2030. The goal is to reduce the gender pay gap as much as possible, to overcome stereotypes that exist in society and among women themselves, and to convince them that they can receive greater remuneration for their work, can hold leadership positions, and be economically independent.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the USAID Competitive Economy of Ukraine program announced a USD 1.5 million grant program for small and medium-sized family-owned and women-owned businesses. Applications for participation in the program will be accepted until July 24, 2023.