GENDER BALANCE: EUROPEAN INTEGRATION CHALLENGES AND NATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Purpose. The aim of the article is to substantiate essential determinants of gender balance of social development as a driver of competitive development of the national economy. Methodology of research. A systematic approach was used in the article to conduct the research. This approach reflects the role of the gender issue in the modern management system at the global and national levels, as well as a number of specific methods: normative analysis, world-system comparison, structuring, analogy, analytical generalization to identify problems of gender asymmetries and outline ways their solution. Findings. The global gender gap index was analysed and Ukraine's place in it was demarcated. New gender risks for Ukraine caused by a full-scale war with Russia have been verified. It is emphasized that gender equal national housekeepers are more competitive. The essence and components of gender ensuring gender balance in the EU in terms of institutionalizing gender equality at the legislative level, achieving gender prioritization, strategic planning, conducting information and educational campaigns, implementing financial programs, and special measures to increase women's access to decision-making processes are substantiated. The main approaches and problems in the implementation of gender policy in Ukraine are formulated, which should be based on the best European and global practices of gender equality, use modern approaches to solving gender-sensitive problems, prevent gender discrimination, ensure equal participation of women and men in making socially important decisions, combine professional and family responsibilities, prevention of illegal expressions, gender-based violence, development of gender-sensitive civil society, spread of gender culture. Originality. Modern gender asymmetries are identified and zones of the greatest gender segregation in Ukraine are singled out. The directions for the selection of the gender context in the analysis and evaluation of various social processes and all social groups are substantiated, in particular, the evaluation of the effectiveness of public administration by monitoring the observance of gender-oriented vectors in the creation of an institutional basis, the implementation of regulatory levers, strategic planning, program and project tools, budgeting, the implementation of gender-oriented approaches in administrative management practice, etc. A model for monitoring gender integration of national economy management is proposed. Practical value. The obtained results of the study will contribute to increasing the effectiveness of the development and implementation of the gender policy of Ukraine, ensuring gender prioritization in the context of EU integration. Key words: gender asymmetries, gender marginalism, gender prioritization, global gender gap index.