Business and organisation representatives in Chernihiv learn to implement the Women’s Empowerment Principles

23 women from various business sectors participated in the training. Photo: UN Women/Ivan Pustovyi

On 12–14 September 2026, UN Women Ukraine held a three-day, in-person training on implementing the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of businesses, business support organisations, educational institutions, civil society organisations and other entities to integrate gender equality principles into their policies, management decisions and communications.

The training brought together 23 representatives from Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Sumy and Zhytomyr regions, working across a range of sectors, including consulting, education, retail, creative industries, agriculture, manufacturing, media, healthtech, transport, regional development and civil society. This diversity allowed participants to explore the WEPs through different organisational contexts, from small businesses and individual entrepreneurs to educational institutions, companies and business support organisations.

Over three days, participants explored the seven Women’s Empowerment Principles and discussed how to integrate them into organisational policies and day-to-day processes. Key topics included gender-responsive leadership, non-discrimination, workplace safety, health and well-being, education and career development, marketing and supply chains, community engagement, advocacy, monitoring and reporting.

The programme combined expert presentations, practical exercises, group discussions, case studies, reflection and networking. Dedicated sessions covered visible leadership on LinkedIn, imposter syndrome, gender representation in advertising, creating safe working environments, the role of business in preventing and responding to gender-based violence, and communications that can help shift social norms and challenge gender stereotypes.

As a result of the training, participants identified areas where the WEPs could be integrated into their organisations’ work. These included strengthening non-discrimination and equal treatment policies, creating safe working environments, supporting women’s career development, enabling work-life balance, promoting responsible communications, as well as conducting self-assessments, monitoring and reporting on progress towards gender equality.

For some participants, the training was a next step following the introduction of specific practices to support women, such as women’s entrepreneurship development programmes, career counselling, support for internally displaced women, awareness-raising activities, and policies addressing discrimination and gender-based violence. For others, it offered an opportunity to move from individual initiatives towards a more systematic approach embedded in internal policies, HR processes, action plans and communications practices.

15 of the 23 participants already had some understanding of the WEPs or experience applying specific gender equality and inclusion tools, while eight joined the training with a basic level of knowledge. This brought together participants who were just becoming familiar with the WEPs and those already prepared to apply them within their organisations.

At the same time, 19 of the 23 participants represented businesses or organisations ready to apply the WEPs in their work. These included organisations that already use selected principles or have joined the WEPs, as well as those planning to formalize their approaches, develop action plans and internal policies, or consider joining the WEPs community of signatories in the future.

“The WEPs implementation training was a very valuable experience for me, as it allowed me to gain new knowledge and practical tools, while also looking at familiar situations from a different perspective. I particularly valued the combination of practical work, experience sharing, and the opportunity to connect with such inspiring professionals. I am returning with new ideas, inspiration and a strong desire to apply what I have learned in both my work and everyday life,” said Anastasiia Drozdova, Lead Recruitment and Onboarding Specialist at Silpo-FUD LLC.

Anastasiia Drozdova, Lead Recruitment and Onboarding Specialist at Silpo-FUD LLC. Photo: UN Women/Ivan Pustovyi

The WEPs implementation training is implemented within the framework of UN Women Ukraine’s Strategic Note (2025-2029) through financial support from the Governments of Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.