In the third issue of “Common Contours,” we compare how gender (in)equality is perceived in Ukraine and the EU.

We asked respondents to assess who is treated better in Ukraine across different areas of life: men, women, or everyone equally. The areas include

• healthcare institutions,
• educational institutions (schools, universities),
• mass media,
• the workplace,
• advertising,
• politics.

We remind you that “Common Contours” is a survey exploring Ukraine in a European context, where we mirror questions and compare data from our own surveys of Ukrainians with data from other surveys conducted in EU countries, candidate countries, and other European countries. In this issue, we compare data from our own research with Eurobarometer data — a series of official EU surveys conducted by the European Commission and the European Parliament.

Note: Eurobarometer data belongs directly to the EU, and we are grateful for open access to it.

Perceptions of gender (in)equality

• Equality is most visible in healthcare institutions, educational institutions, and the media (around 70% of respondents said that men and women are treated equally in these areas).
• A majority also believe that equality exists in the workplace (62%) and in advertising (57%).
• At the same time, respondents perceive the greatest inequality in politics: slightly more than one-third report equal treatment, while nearly half (47%) say that men are treated better in politics. In this context, there are also notable differences in responses between men and women.

When comparing perceptions of who is treated better in society:

• women are perceived to be treated relatively better in advertising (26% vs. 5% who say men are treated better), in schools and universities (17% vs. 8%), and in healthcare institutions (14% vs. 10%).
• men are more often seen as receiving better treatment in politics (47% say men are favored vs. only 6% for women) and, to some extent, in the workplace (17% vs. 14%).

Comparison between Ukraine and EU countries

• Ukrainians and respondents from the 27 EU countries share a high level of optimism regarding equality in healthcare and education: around 70% in both Ukraine and the EU on average say that men and women are treated equally in these areas. Similarly, in both Ukraine and the EU, more than half of respondents report equal treatment in advertising.
• At the same time, Ukrainians are significantly more optimistic about equality in the workplace and in the media. For example, in Ukraine, nearly two-thirds of respondents say that men and women are treated equally at work, whereas in EU countries this view is held by about 40% on average (and around half of respondents in the EU believe that men are treated better at work).
• As for politics, views in Ukraine and the EU are fairly similar. In both cases, more than one-third of respondents report equality, but more often respondents point to an advantage for men (47% in Ukraine and 54% in EU countries).

Breakdown by sectors

Healthcare institutions

• 70% of Ukrainians believe that men and women are treated equally in healthcare institutions, while 14% report a preference in favor of women.
• Men are noticeably more likely than women to say that women are treated better in healthcare. For example, one in five men aged 36–50 holds this view, compared to one in ten women in the same age group.
• Ukraine’s indicators are close to the EU average: the share of those who report equal treatment is nearly identical (around 70%). At the same time, Ukrainians are more likely than the EU average to report a preference for women (14% vs. 9% in the EU) and less likely to report better treatment of men (10% vs. 19%).

Schools and universities

• Nearly 70% of respondents in Ukraine say that men and women are treated equally in educational institutions. 17% report better treatment of women, while 8% say men are treated better.
• In this context, women are more likely than men to say that treatment is equal. Men are significantly more likely than women to report that women are treated better in education. For example, among men aged 18–35, 29% say that women are treated better in educational institutions, compared to 9% of women in the same age group. Similarly, 29% of men aged 36–50 share this view, compared to 14% of women in that age group.
• Ukraine’s indicators are similar to those of the EU: the share reporting equal treatment is nearly the same (around two-thirds). However, Ukrainians are more likely to report better treatment of women in education (17% vs. 9% in the EU) and less likely to report better treatment of men (8% vs. 20% in the EU).

Media

• In the context of media, 68% of respondents in Ukraine say that men and women are treated equally. Another 13% report more positive treatment of women, while 11% say men are treated better.
• There are no major differences between how men and women respond to this question overall. However, some differences appear in the older age group (51+): men are more likely to report better treatment of women (17% vs. 7% among women), while women are more likely to report better treatment of men (17% vs. 6% among men).
• Ukrainians assess equality in the media more optimistically than respondents in EU countries on average. While about two-thirds in Ukraine report equal treatment, this figure is 54% in the EU. In addition, 11% in Ukraine say men are treated better, compared to an EU average of 31% — nearly three times higher.

Workplace

• Two-thirds of Ukrainians believe that men and women are treated equally at work (62%). 17% say that men are treated better, while 14% believe that women receive better treatment in this sphere.
• The largest differences in responses are observed among younger respondents (aged 18–35). Young men and women tend to report preferences in favor of each other. For example, among young men, 23% believe that women are treated better at work (compared to 5% of women in the same age group). Among young women, in turn, 23% say that men are treated better (compared to 12% of young men).
• In Ukraine, significantly more respondents report equality at work than in EU countries (62% vs. 40%). Conversely, in EU countries, respondents are much more likely to say that men are favored in the workplace (51% vs. 17% in Ukraine) and less likely to report better treatment of women (6% vs. 14% in Ukraine).

Advertising

• Regarding advertising, 57% of respondents in Ukraine say that men and women are treated equally. A quarter of respondents (26%) report better treatment of women, while only 5% believe that men are treated better. Notably, 12% answered “don’t know.”
• The largest differences in responses are observed between men and women aged 36–50. Among men in this group, 45% say treatment is equal, while nearly the same share (44%) say women are treated better. In contrast, women aged 36–50 mostly report equal treatment (66%), with 16% noting better treatment of women.
• In the context of advertising, Ukrainians again report equal treatment more often than respondents in the EU on average (68% vs. 54%). Meanwhile, in the EU, respondents are three times more likely than in Ukraine to say that men are treated better in advertising (31% vs. 11% in Ukraine).

Politics

• Around one-third of Ukrainians (37%) believe that men and women are treated equally in politics. However, a relative majority (47%) say that men are treated better. Only 6% report better treatment of women, while another 10% are undecided.
• While men and women in other age groups show relatively similar response patterns, significant differences appear among younger respondents (aged 18–35). Among young women, only one-third believe that treatment is equal, while a majority (61%) say that men are favored. Young men see the situation differently: half (52%) report equal treatment, while 40% say men are favored.
• Assessments in Ukraine and the EU are broadly similar on this issue: in both cases, about one-third report equal treatment, while 47% in Ukraine and 54% in the EU on average say that men are treated better.

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Rating Group is one of the largest research institutions in Ukraine, operating since 2008. The company is registered in Ukraine and has extensive experience in conducting sociological surveys both domestically and internationally. The group includes: Sociological Group Rating, the research laboratory Rating Lab, the platform Rating Online, and the Rating Call Center.