From the Challenges of Today to the Vision of the Future: The Third Donetsk Region Women's Congress took place in Kyiv

“You, the women of Donetsk region, are incredibly strong. And have also contributed a huge amount to humanitarian assistance and to the beginning of recovery. Everything that you are doing today in Ukraine is also being watched from around the world and you are showing the best ways forward. UN Women here to support you today and tomorrow — you engage in decision-making, drive recovery efforts, and advance on the path toward EU membership”, said Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine, at the opening of the Third Donetsk Women's Congress.

The Third Congress of Women of Donetsk Region — “From the Challenges of Today to the Vision of the Future” — was held in Kyiv on October 7. The event brought together women leaders, representatives of government, communities, international organizations, and business to form a shared vision for the future of women in Donetsk Region.

Matthias Schmale, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, spoke about the central role of women in Ukraine's humanitarian response and recovery:

"Ukrainian women are at the centre of Ukraine's humanitarian response and gender-responsive recovery. I want to honor your courage and leadership, which are shaping the future not only of the region but of Ukraine as a whole."

“It is very meaningful that this Congress is taking place exactly 25 years after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution No. 1325 “Women, Peace and Security”, which Ukraine was directly involved in. This Resolution emphasizes the key role of women in building and sustaining peace, as well as in overcoming the challenges faced by wars and conflicts", Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Policy.

"The Third Donetsk Women's Congress is about our future, our participation in the recovery and reconstruction, and how strongly we will stand up for Donetsk, wherever we are. The Third Congress is about our unity. I believe in Donetsk region, and I know that Ukraine has always been, is, and will always exist. Donetsk has always been, is, and will always exist", Lilia Kislitsyna, President of NGO SMARTA, Coordinator of Coalition 1325 Donetsk Region.

Participants discussed the results of the implementation of Regional Action Plan 1325, the achievements of the Coalition 1325 Donetsk Region, and developed updates to the Congress resolution that sets priorities for the coming years.

As a result of the event, the Donetsk Women's Congress revised its resolution with recommendations for various levels of government and the public sector in the context of implementing the "Women, Peace, and Security" agenda. These include security, recovery, governance, support for survivors, integration and social inclusion, economic empowerment, visibility, and combating information threats.

Watch the live stream of the event at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/LO4UpQwZYG8

The Third Donetsk Women's Congress is about our future, our participation in the recovery and reconstruction , and how strongly we will stand up for Donetsk, wherever we are. The Third Congress is about our unity. I believe in Donetsk, and I know that Ukraine has always been, is, and will always exist. Donetsk has always been, is, and will always exist.