Over 60 female representatives of Ukrainian CSOs have been trained at the She Media School 2.0
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The second cohort of graduates from She Media School 2.0. Photo: Courtesy of She Media School
More than 60 female activists in leadership roles within civil society organizations from across the country have successfully completed the second stream of the She Media School for Leadership and Communications. To celebrate this achievement, a graduation ceremony was held in Kyiv, uniting participants from the second and previous streams, as well as lecturers, trainers, partner organizations, opinion leaders, and individuals who invest in projects aimed at strengthening civil society in Ukraine.
“We are thrilled to welcome the second cohort of graduates from She Media School 2.0. Launched by UN Women in 2022, She Media School was established in response to the challenges that impede the full representation of women in the media, particularly in light of the full-scale Russian invasion. The program has fostered a dedicated group of women activists who can confidently engage with the media. Since its inception, women’s civil society organizations have published 40 publications, reaching nearly a million people across social media and other platforms. We will continue to support She Media School, with the next cycle planned for next year, to create a media landscape that is more inclusive of gender issues and free from stereotypes and discrimination,” said Julia Broussard, Deputy UN Women Representative in Ukraine.
Julia Broussard, Deputy UN Women Representative in Ukraine. Photo: Courtesy of She Media School
"She Media School is an initiative designed for aspiring female leaders, focusing on teaching management and leadership skills, as well as public communications. This initiative aims to address gender inequality and enhance the visibility of professional women, many of whom are among us," notes Mariia Leonova, the school's author and associate partner at Jnomics Media.
The event marked the culmination of three months of intensive training, during which 15 leaders from public organizations developed their own media projects that will soon be published in Ukrainian media. Alongside 60 free listeners from the sector, they took part in 25 training sessions, workshops, case studies, and business simulations.
"One of the most important aspects of the training was fostering a strong community among our participants. They have actively networked and begun collaborating. We believe that true value is generated through partnership, and we fully support our participants in this endeavor," shares Mariia Leonova.
Thirteen She Media School 2.0 graduates received certificates for completing the program. Photo: Courtesy of She Media School
She Media School is dedicated to equipping women in the public sector with essential skills for effectively managing teams and finances and developing both personal and corporate brands. The program prioritizes the enhancement of communication skills and the use of media in the public realm, aiming to increase the visibility and recognition of impactful social initiatives.
The next intake for the She Media School 3.0 class will occur in early 2025, with a public announcement to be made on the initiative’s social media pages.
The graduation event gathered prominent Ukrainian figures who shared their journeys toward female leadership during keynote speeches.
- Emma Antoniuk, a Ukrainian interviewer, public figure, and journalist, co-author of the podcast "Asymmetriia"(Asymmetry) and the projects "Palaiie" (Burning) and "Tse nikhto ne bude dyvytysia" (No one will watch this).
- Oleksandra Matviichuk, a human rights activist, and head of the Center for Civil Liberties, awardee of the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Vladyslava Romaniuk, a head of the organization "BF Frida", general practitioner, gastroenterologist, and head of the medical and rehabilitation center for the military at the medical center "Oberig".
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to advocating for and raising the visibility of local women's organizations in Ukraine. Your roles in leadership and communication are more crucial than ever. Your voices and stories have the power to inspire meaningful change in society and to build lasting coalitions among women in Ukraine and around the world,” said Breifni Flanagan, Programme Analyst at UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).
Breifni Flanagan, Programme Analyst at UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). Photo: Courtesy of She Media School
Thirteen graduates received certificates for successfully completing the program. The event provided a valuable opportunity for women leaders to discuss plans, discover potential partners, and strengthen social initiatives aimed at building civil society in Ukraine.
Stay tuned for the school's program by following the initiative's pages.
The event was held with the support of UN Women in Ukraine within the framework of the project "Transformational Approaches to Achieving Gender Equality in Ukraine" with financial support from the Government of Sweden and in cooperation with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, as well as the project "Women's Increased Leadership for Resilient and Peaceful Societies" funded by the Government of Denmark. Financial support for the She Media School initiative and the event was also provided by the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).