On March 7, the national campaign “Give Yourself a Chance” was launched to help Ukrainian women navigating in career, freelancing opportunities, and business ventures. The campaign includes a podcast and manifesto, as well as educational opportunities — an educational online course and a mentorship program — that will support women at different stages of their professional development.

Iryna Zalialova is a police colonel in the Ukraine National Police service. She leads the Department for Monitoring Gender Equality and efforts to combat domestic violence under the Human Rights Compliance Department. Until 2014, Zalialova lived in Horlivka and worked at the Donetsk Law Institute. When pro-Russian militants entered the Donetsk region, Zalialova and her family were forced to flee to Kyiv. Already in the capital of Ukraine, she decided to try out for the National Police: she passed the competition and got a job as a precinct officer.

My goal is to show that it is not necessary to move abroad, somewhere to earn money, but you can realize yourself in business in Ukraine, even during the war.

19-year-old researcher Marharyta Meleshkova from Ukraine invented a tool to clean soil polluted by oil. She encourages more girls to work in science and overcome gender stereotypes.

Natalia Tiuniahina is the Regional Coordinator of the charitable organization “Positive Women” and founder and Board member of the public organization “Positive Women Kherson” in southern Ukraine.

The public association the Rural Women's Business Network recently signed a Partner Agreement with the UN Women Project, Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment through Decentralization Reform of Ukraine. This initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. Under the new Partner Agreement , the Association will facilitate mobilization of women from 13 communities to participate in local governance across four regions: Volyn, Chernivtsi, Kherson and Sumy.

The MediaForShe Congress brought together 15 Ukrainian media and content producers to discuss the role of the media in promoting gender equality. The event took place on 26 October in Kyiv.

UN Women's global movement for gender equality, HeForShe, in partnership with StarLightMedia group, launches a dialogue on gender equality with Ukrainian media. MediaForShe Congress is an event where Ukrainian media will talk about changing approached to women's representation in the media and the creation of non-discriminatory content.

Ivanna Levchenko is a second-year student at the Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman. She is also a member of AIESEC organization which aims to bridge the gap between countries and people. Today, more than half the world’s population is under 30 years of age. Students and youth are the new generation of leaders and changemakers, and it is critically important to understand their priorities as we shape the gender equality movement to change the world.

The enhanced participation of women in public life can bring transformative changes to their communities. Women want to be actively engaged in local decision-making processes and they have proved that they can drive positive results when in top political positions, believes Sofia Maksymenko. She is the self-help group leader and newly elected head of Zvanivka, a community in the conflict-affected Donetsk oblast located near the contact line.

Violetta Rec is the Chairperson of the Student Cadet Council at Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs in Ukraine. Today, more than half the world’s population is under 30 years of age. Students and youth are the new generation of leaders and changemakers, and it is critically important to understand their priorities as we shape the gender equality movement to change the world.

Karyna Starodubtseva is a Bachelor of Law student at the Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University, Severodonetsk. Today, more than half the world’s population is under 30 years of age. Students and youth are the new generation of leaders and changemakers, and it is critically important to understand their priorities as we shape the gender equality movement to change the world.

Christina Bilous is a Roma civic activist. She is also leader of a Self-Help Group in the community of Toretsk, near the frontline in the conflict-affected Donetsk region of Eastern Ukraine. As an active community member, Bilous heads up the Roma non-governmental organization, Sumnakuno Petalo, advocating for the rights of Roma women and girls.

Daria Sholomitska is a 2nd-year student of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Today, more than half the world’s population is under 30 years of age. Students and youth are the new generation of leaders and changemakers, and it is critically important to understand their priorities as we shape the gender equality movement to change the world.