The first stage of preparing women for active political participation completed: 200 female leaders ready to act
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Training on strengthening women’s political participation and leadership in Vinnytsia. Photo: Women's Perspectives Center/Iryna Vernikovska
UN Women Ukraine and the Women’s Perspectives Center have completed the first phase of a large-scale initiative, a series of training titled "Strengthening Women’s Political Participation and Leadership", aimed at preparing women to take part in political life, particularly in post-war elections.
200 participants—activists, local council members, educators, and representatives of the civic sector, business, and local self-government—have already gained knowledge, support, and tools for active political engagement and driving change in their communities, regions, and Ukraine as a whole.
The program covered 10 regions in western and central Ukraine: Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, Rivne, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpattia, and Zhytomyr.
The training was based on UN Women’s global methodology “Political Leadership and Candidate Training,” and included topics such as:
- Gender equality in politics
- Overcoming barriers and building leadership potential
- Running election campaigns and communicating with voters
- Advocacy and fundraising
Halyna Meshcheriakova, Governance programme manager at UN Women Ukraine, at a training in Khmelnytskyi. Photo: Women's Perspectives Center/Viktoriia Parkhomets
“Women’s equal participation in politics is not only a matter of justice, but also of effective governance. Women must influence political processes in all areas and at all levels. Experience shows that when women are fully and equally involved in decision-making, those decisions are more inclusive and focused on sustainable development, which is critically important for Ukraine’s people-centered recovery,” said Halyna Meshcheriakova, Governance programme manager at UN Women Ukraine.
Olena Kalbus, project manager of the Strengthening Women’s Political Participation and Leadership project at the Women’s Perspectives Center, at a training in Khmelnytskyi. Photo: Women's Perspectives Center/Viktoriia Parkhomets
“Politics needs women! The best decisions come from partnerships between women and men, because such partnerships bring together diverse perspectives and experiences. And partnership, above all, means equal rights and equal opportunities,” emphasized Olena Kalbus, project manager of the Strengthening Women’s Political Participation and Leadership project at the Women’s Perspectives Center.
Oksana Shliusar, guest trainer. Photo: Women's Perspectives Center/Bohdan Poliovyi
“The goal of this training is not just to teach political skills. We are preparing architects of change, women who will not simply observe change, but create it. Women's voices should be heard not from the audience, but from the main stage, shaping Ukraine’s future,” noted Oksana Shliusar, guest trainer.
Tamara Chop, a training participant from Ternopil. Photo: Women's Perspectives Center/Bohdan Poliovyi
“I work at a university and focus on gender education. I joined the training to pass this knowledge on to students. I feel genuine support and already see opportunities to implement mini projects. This is not just about learning, it's a call to action,” said Tamara Chop, a training participant from Ternopil.
Tetiana Shults, a training participant from Lviv. Photo: Women's Perspectives Center/Volodymyr Chopyk
“This training helped me realize that being a leader means taking responsibility, guiding a team, making important decisions, constantly growing, and achieving goals. I gained knowledge that will help me represent the interests and defend the rights of vulnerable groups,” said Tetiana Shults, a training participant from Lviv.
By the end of 2025, at least 15 more training sessions are planned across central, eastern, northern, and southern Ukraine. Around 400 more women are expected to participate, all committed to influencing the development of their communities and the country.
The training "Strengthening Women's Political Participation and Leadership" was conducted by UN Women Ukraine and the Women's Perspectives Center, in cooperation with the Central Election Commission of Ukraine and the Inter-Faction Association "Equal Opportunities" in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, within the framework of the projects "Transformational Approaches to Achieving Gender Equality in Ukraine", funded by the Government of Sweden, Strengthening Women's Leadership for Resilient and Peaceful Societies”, funded by the Government of Denmark, and “Building a Democratic, Peaceful and Gender-Equal Society in Ukraine”, funded by the Government of Norway.