In wartime Ukraine, women are pillars of resilience in their communities, driving vital change through leadership roles in civil society, and safeguarding democratic values. This week, we explore how Ukrainians perceive women’s contributions to civic engagement and spotlight the initiatives of our partners, many of which are led by female civil society leaders. Additionally, we bring you an exciting youth initiative from the Ukrainian Leadership Academy and highlight a key policy change driven by the Anti-Corruption Action Center. Scroll down to learn more!
According to a survey conducted by the National Democratic Institute, most Ukrainians (78%) believe women are actively involved in volunteering and civic activities. Another 55% highlight their involvement in defending the country and 41% recognize their role in political activities. In terms of public perception, 89% of respondents view women’s contributions to volunteering positively, while 69% hold favorable opinions of their role in defense, and 57% on their political involvement.
Civil society news
Association of Mothers and Wives of Ukraine’s Defenders Presents Manifesto to Promote Inclusivity and Accountability for War Crimes
On September 16, the Association of Mothers and Wives of Ukraine’s Defenders presented the “Manifesto for Democracy,” created by women affected by war. This Manifesto advocates for democracy and human rights, seeks to amplify the voices of those impacted by the war and inspire collective action for peace and justice. By signing Manifesto on the petition platform, you can join a global movement focused on holding war criminals accountable and protecting democracy.
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Verkhovna Rada Adopts Law on Construction Transparency, Championed by Anti-Corruption Action Center
On September 19, the Verkhovna Rada passed law No. 11057, requiring cost estimates for public construction tenders to be disclosed in the Prozorro system. The Anti-Corruption Action Center played a key role in developing the law, facilitating discussions among stakeholders, and advocating for its adoption. This legislation will increase transparency, allowing the public to monitor prices for reconstruction materials and services, helping ensure that public funds are spent efficiently.
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Zakhyst Mobilizes Key Stakeholders for Kherson’s Recovery and Development
From September 16-17, the Community Foundation of Kherson “Zakhyst” hosted the forum “Kherson – City Where Life Wins” in Kyiv. The event focused on creating a shared vision for Kherson’s recovery and gathering proposals from various stakeholders, including local authorities, civil society, and experts. Participants stressed the need to protect residents’ lives and the importance of starting post-war recovery discussions now.
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Ukrainian Leadership Academy Empowers Youth to Create Sustainable Green Future Solutions
From September 21-22, the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, hosted the Green Future Hackathon for young and creative individuals. During the two-day event, participants created a tool that personalizes energy efficiency solutions, engages youth in environmental initiatives through gamification, and simplifies energy-saving concepts. The winning project offered a platform for condominium associations (OSBB) to access successful solutions, templates, and process automation aimed at increasing energy efficiency in typical residential buildings.
What we read
Gender Equality: How Can We Support Girls’ Rights Around the World?
Despite global efforts, progress on gender equality is stalling, and the right to protest is increasingly restricted in many countries around the world. It is crucial to protect and amplify young women’s voices to ensure they can continue to advocate for change and accountability. Read the article by the World Economic Forum, which outlines key insights from recent reports and discusses unique ways to bridge the gap.