Professionalization of social work in Ukraine: the gender dimension

This article examines the issues of gender competence of social workers, feminist approaches in social work, and the specifics of providing social services to vulnerable groups in the context of war, with a focus on gender aspects. Gender competence of social workers encompasses several key aspects: (1) understanding gender inequalities as a structural problem manifested in various areas of social life—ranging from access to resources and opportunities to the distribution of family responsibilities and economic security; (2) the ability to apply the principles of equality in practical activities; (3) the capacity to integrate contemporary feminist approaches into social work. It is emphasized that, in the context of war, the issue of gender competence among Ukrainian social workers has become particularly urgent, especially in light of the use of sexual violence as a tool of war. The competencies of social workers are formulated in relation to the need to implement the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention) in Ukraine. The formation of gender competencies in social workers is seen as a complex process requiring a systematic approach in education, professional training, and practical activity. This includes the introduction of gender-transformative approaches into curricula, the development of specialized training, and the support of practical measures that enable social workers not only to recognize gender inequalities but also to actively work towards eliminating them in the process of delivering social services. The article concludes with the formulation of discussion questions related to the improvement of gender competencies, the integration of feminist approaches into social work, and the further development of social policy in the field of gender equality.