More and more Ukrainian women are taking on leadership roles and influencing socio-political processes related to the war and its consequences, especially in gender equality and women's rights protection. However, their initiatives often encounter significant barriers – activists and civil society representatives frequently face pressure: from threats and intimidation to discreditation and discrimination. These challenges are intensifying even in recently considered progressive societies, such as the United States and some EU countries. In many places, state-supported initiatives for women are being shut down, while pressure on the feminist movement continues to grow.
What are the threats to gender equality in our country? How has the war changed the role of women in activism? What strategies can help strengthen the women's movement and ensure its local and international support?
The discussion will conclude with an interactive segment: using Mentimeter, we will learn what threats to gender equality participants of the event see in Ukraine, and then discuss them with everyone in the room.
Speakers:
Iryna Yuzyk, human rights advocate, project manager at the ZMINA Human Rights Centre
Alla Bieloshenko, analyst at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation
Oksana Potapova, intersectional feminist and researcher on peace and security issues from a feminist and decolonial perspective (joining online)
