GENDER EQUALITY POLICY IN PUBLIC SECTOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The topic of the article is dedicated to studying the integration of gender equality into the field of human resource management in the public service in Ukraine and the European Union countries. The purpose of the research is to examine modern approaches to ensuring gender equality, as well as to formulate practical recommendations for improving the implementation of its principles in public administration. The main goal is to identify existing problems and barriers that hinder the realization of gender equality in the public sector and to determine ways to overcome them. Research methods include comparative analysis of legislative initiatives and practices for implementing gender equality in the public sector in Ukraine and EU countries, as well as the use of statistical data and international indices to assess the level of gender equality. The results of the study show that gender inequality continues to be a significant problem in public administration, particularly in leadership positions. It was found that at the local level in Ukraine, there is a positive trend in the representation of women, but the problem remains relevant at higher levels of administrative structures. The comparative analysis with EU countries reveals that, although Ukraine has made significant progress in gender equality, the European experience demonstrates greater effectiveness in implementing gender policies due to clear legislative initiatives and sociocultural changes. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the development of a systematic approach to integrating gender equality into public service human resource management in Ukraine. For the first time, a comparison of gender aspects at the local and state levels in Ukraine has been made with similar processes in EU countries. The practical significance of the research is that the results can be used to improve national policies on gender equality, enhance the effectiveness of legislative initiatives, and develop recommendations for integrating gender principles into public service management processes. Therefore, to ensure real gender equality in the public sector, a comprehensive approach must be implemented, including changes at the legislative, financial, and cultural transformation levels, which will create favorable conditions for gender equality in public resource management.