PROVIDING CHILD CARE LEAVE AS AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF FAMILY POLICY IN UKRAINE AND THE WORLD

The article presents approaches to the definition of «state family policy» and substantiates on the basis of statistical data the need to separate family policy into an independent category. The main elements of normative-legal provision of the state family policy in Ukraine are determined. The basic principles of family policy implementation, enshrined in the Concept of State Family Policy, are noted, as well as the shortcomings of this Concept are analyzed. The study highlighted one of the main elements of family policy — the provision of childcare leave. Based on the Law of Ukraine «On Leave», the main types of such leave and the peculiarities of their granting to men are studied. The main shortcomings of the legal regulation of the process of granting childcare leave to men are identified and how the Law of Ukraine «On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts to Ensure Equal Opportunities for Mothers and Fathers to Care for a Child» aims to address these shortcomings and ensure gender equality. Cases of violation of the right to childcare leave on the basis of judicial practice are analyzed. The experience of implementing the state family policy in such countries as Sweden, Germany, Norway, Iceland, Japan and South Korea is considered. In addition, the practice of most EU countries to take into account the period of leave at the birth of a child or to care for children when calculating pensions is mentioned. The study concluded that, despite Ukraine's deliberate steps in the development of family policy on leave, the practice of providing childcare to men in many other countries is more effective and widespread than in Ukraine, which indicates the need elaboration of the Ukrainian mechanism for implementing family policy in this area and ensuring equality in the rights and responsibilities of parents.