Abstract

The article considers features of formation and activities of women’s organizations in modern Ukraine. The process of their emergence connects with general democratization of social life in the USSR in the late 1980s. In this period women’s organization didn’t have the institutional legacy and social support. Therefore, the institutionalization of women’s movement in Ukraine was like a path of trials and errors, forming of own traditions and culture. This process lasted until the early 2000s, when the number of organizations stabilized. Weak resource base and a high dependency on political solutions to solving social problems has led to relations of paternalism between the state and WPOs. The authorities set the agenda of public policy, give financial support of loyal WPOs and coopt their representatives in the various consultative bodies. Therefore, in Ukraine women’s organizations do not compete with the authorities to offer solutions to social problems, and adapt to the political situation and needs.