From Exceptions to New Standards: The 10th Ukrainian Women’s Congress Held in Kyiv
How can Ukraine ensure equal representation of women in government, expand their economic opportunities, and overcome barriers to their professional and public participation? These questions were at the heart of the 10th Ukrainian Women’s Congress, held in Kyiv on October 22 under the theme “From Exceptions to New Standards.” The International Renaissance Foundation was among the event’s partners.
The Congress brought together representatives of government, civil society, business, and international organizations. It was opened by Olena Kondratiuk, Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and co-founder of the Congress; Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska; and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. Participants were also addressed by Katarína Mathernová, EU Ambassador to Ukraine, and Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement.
The central message of this year’s Congress was the need to move beyond celebrating the achievements of individual women towards systemic changes that guarantee equal opportunities for all.
“We have learned how to open doors for women. Now we must ensure that genuine equal opportunities await them on the other side. When we speak of ‘From Exceptions to New Standards,’ these new standards are not about placing new demands on women. They are about setting new expectations for the state, society, politics, and the economy,” Olena Kondratiuk emphasized.
Equal Opportunities and Women’s Participation in Government
One of the Congress’s main topics was women’s representation in politics and public administration. According to figures presented during the event, the proportion of women in the Ukrainian government has declined from approximately 30% in 2019 to 10%. Women are also absent from the National Security and Defense Council, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Headquarters, and Ukraine’s negotiating team.
Participants stressed that it is essential not only to provide women with access to political and leadership positions but also to create conditions for their meaningful influence on decision-making.
First Lady Olena Zelenska highlighted the practical foundations of equality: equal pay for equal work, accessible childcare and safe schools, a fair distribution of family responsibilities, and the elimination of stereotypes surrounding women’s leadership.
“This means shared parenting, where care is a joint responsibility of the family rather than the woman alone. It means opening doors to leadership positions and politics — free from prejudice and stereotypes,” Olena Zelenska noted.
Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Independence
A major part of the Congress focused on women’s economic opportunities. According to data presented at the event, women account for approximately 60% of individual entrepreneurs in Ukraine. However, their share decreases as businesses grow in size.
Participants discussed women entrepreneurs’ access to financing, grant programmes, loans, and professional training.
In particular, Oschadbank presented its “Women’s Business” programme, offering loans of up to UAH 5 million, grant support, and training opportunities for 2,000 women entrepreneurs. Representatives of Raiffeisen Bank also outlined their initiatives to support women-owned businesses.
Special attention was paid to employment challenges, income inequality, and unpaid care work. Participants emphasized that developing Ukraine’s human capital and strengthening its economic resilience are impossible without women’s full participation in the labour market.
Women’s Leadership, Human Rights, and Culture
One of the Congress’s highlights was the presentation of the Mary O’Hagan Award. This year’s recipient was human rights defender and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, recognized for her contribution to protecting human rights, documenting Russian war crimes, and pursuing justice for those affected by the war.
“Ukraine has a distinctly female face. Women must support other women, regardless of the fields in which they work,” Oleksandra Matviichuk emphasized.
The Congress also addressed women’s participation in Ukraine’s defence, youth leadership, access to professions traditionally considered male-dominated, and the role of culture in strengthening societal resilience.
A discussion platform entitled “Culture as Strategy” explored the preservation of Ukrainian cultural heritage, cultural diplomacy, and support for artistic initiatives. The Congress also featured the presentation of Vy|znachni, a book containing 22 letters from prominent Ukrainian women addressed to the next generation of female leaders.
From Discussions to Systemic Change
For ten years, the Ukrainian Women’s Congress has served as a platform for dialogue among government, civil society, business, and international partners on gender equality and women’s leadership.
“Real progress is not when one woman manages to overcome every obstacle, but when those who follow no longer face these obstacles,” said Svitlana Voitsekhovska, co-founder and Director of the Congress.
The event was held as part of the project “From Challenges to Resilience: Women’s Leadership in Comprehensive Security and Gender Equality in Ukraine,” implemented by the Ukrainian Women’s Fund with financial support from the European Union. International organizations, foreign governments, Ukrainian businesses, and civil society institutions also contributed to the event.
The International Renaissance Foundation was among the partners of the 10th Ukrainian Women’s Congress, supporting a platform for discussions on equal opportunities, women’s participation in decision-making, and the institutional changes needed to achieve these goals.
Moving from individual success stories to equal opportunities for all is an essential step towards building a democratic, inclusive, and resilient Ukrainian society.
Based on the Novyny.LIVE
