Joining the 10th Ukrainian Women’s Congress
More than a thousand men and women have registered to participate in the 10th Ukrainian Women’s Congress, set to take place on October 22 in Kyiv. This marks the highest number of applications in the event’s history. Co-founder of the Congress and Deputy Speaker of Ukraine’s Parliament, Olena Kondratiuk, emphasized that despite the ongoing daily news of attacks and casualties, there is a strong desire for this gathering, as reflected by the overwhelming interest.
Congress Agenda
The event features seven discussion platforms, a special dialogue session, a hard talk segment, presentations, and a performance by the creative collective MUR. Over 45 Ukrainian and international speakers will take part. Topics covered in the discussion platforms include:
- Youth: The Courage to Choose
- The Courage to Fight
- The Courage to Grow
- Work Often Seen as 'Unfeminine'
- Visible and Invisible Labor
- Culture as a Strategy
- From Exceptions to New Norms… and Back?
The special dialogue on human capital will be led by demographers and government officials.
Co-founder and Director of the Ukrainian Women’s Congress, Svitlana Voitsehovska, noted that while anniversaries often prompt reflection on the past, it is even more crucial to focus on the future. She expressed hope that the progress made over the past decade will endure, so women no longer have to be exceptions and the exceptions themselves become the new standard.
During the Congress, the Mary O’Hagen Award for achievements in gender equality and women’s leadership will be presented. The name of the fourth recipient will be announced at the event. Congress co-founder Maria Ionova highlighted that gender equality is an integral part of Ukraine’s European integration process. Over the last ten years, legislation has evolved, women’s political representation has increased, and new opportunities across various fields have opened up.
Registration for in-person attendance is now closed, but the event will be broadcast live starting at 12:00 PM on October 22 across the Ukrainian Women’s Congress information platforms. Since its inception in 2017, the Congress has been shaping the agenda for women’s leadership and gender policy across government bodies, local communities, private and civil sectors, and the media, while also engaging international women’s and human rights organizations.
The 10th anniversary of the Ukrainian Women’s Congress highlights the growing influence and significance of women’s leadership in Ukraine. Taking place amid ongoing military conflict, the strong turnout underscores the urgent need to discuss pressing issues around gender equality and social change. Recent legislative reforms and increased female political participation represent key milestones on Ukraine’s path toward European integration, further emphasizing the importance of initiatives like this Congress.