"Speak, Act, Inspire": Five Stories of Women's Leadership in Ukrainian Communities

200 women from 10 western and central regions of Ukraine took part in the training "Strengthening Women's Political Participation and Leadership" in 2025. Photo: courtesy of the Women’s Perspectives Center.

They work in villages and cities, in the fields of culture, education, and local governance. They are mothers, teachers, students, council members, and leaders. And they do not wait for change. They make it happen. Five Ukrainian women share their stories of participating in a training program that strengthens women’s political participation and leadership, their paths to confidence, the power of community, and their belief that the future is in our hands.

Mariia Makivnychuk: "Politics is about action, community support, and concrete results"

Mariia Makivnychuk is a deputy of the Verkhovyna village community in Ivano-Frankivsk region and the head of the NGO "Development Alliance." Photo: courtesy of the Women’s Perspectives Center.

Mariia Makivnychuk, a council member of the Verkhovyna community, has long worked with youth, internally displaced people, and farmers. But the journey to confidence was not easy.

“When I ran for office the first time, I had no experience. I acted on instinct. Now I know that education, training, and a community of women leaders are incredibly important. We must know our rights and not be afraid to act,” she shares.

Mariia believes leadership begins with the willingness to listen, to learn, and to face challenges head-on. That’s what helps women build trust in their communities, even in mountainous and traditionally conservative regions.

Oksana Tsymbaliuk: "To build a country, you need to know how to do it"

Oksana Tsymbaliuk is a choir director and choreographer at the Yabluniv House of Culture in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. Photo: courtesy of the Women’s Perspectives Center.

Oksana is a choir director from Yabluniv. She has spent her life working with children and youth, teaching them not to fear the stage and to be themselves. And it was those very children who motivated her to enter the public sector.

“I want my students to stay in Ukraine. But to inspire them, I first need to understand how a country is built,” she explains.

At the training, Oksana discovered the power of teamwork and the importance of conscious leadership. She is convinced that even without political experience, any woman can become a driving force for change.

Oleksandra Hneda: "Change starts with us"

Oleksandra Hneda is a fourth-year student majoring in Political Science at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University and the head of the political science research society "Analyst." Photo: courtesy of the Women’s Perspectives Center.

Oleksandra Hneda, a political science student from Chernivtsi, is just beginning her journey, but she already leads a student academic society and dreams of a career in the public sector or politics.

“I realized that I already have a voice and experience. During the training, we presented ourselves as candidates. It was incredibly inspiring. I felt supported and understood that I’m capable of more,” she recalls.

For Oleksandra, it is important not only to grow personally but to share her knowledge with others, to inspire girls to believe in their power, and to help shape a new political culture.

Sofiia Budnyk: "Leadership isn’t about ambition, it’s about responsibility"

Sofiia is a political scientist, an election law trainer, and an entrepreneur. She knows well the challenges women face in politics: stereotypes, overload, and lack of resources.

“Women need support, knowledge, and space to act. The training became a turning point for me to rethink the role of a leader, not just to lead, but also to serve, support, and unite,” she says.

Sofiia plans to use the knowledge she gained to help women build successful election campaigns and become visible in their communities.

Yaroslava Rakovitsa: "When I spread my wings, everything fell into place"

Yaroslava Rakovitsa is the Chief Administrator of the Kitsman City Territorial Community in Chernivtsi region. Photo: courtesy of the Women’s Perspectives Center.

Yaroslava has worked for many years in local self-government, particularly in the Kitsman city territorial community in the Chernivtsi region. However, participating in the training became a personal breakthrough for her.

“I used to stay silent because it was convenient for others. But now I know a woman’s voice must be heard. And not just loudly, but wisely too,” she says.

The training helped her feel supported, realize her uniqueness, and rethink the idea of leadership not as a struggle, but as a partnership.

“It was time for myself, which is something I always lacked. And in that time, I found my strength,” she adds.

These five stories are not exceptions, but examples of how Ukrainian women are changing their country every day. They do not wait for the right moment. They create it. They learn, act, inspire, and prove that leadership is about values, community, and self-belief.

The training "Strengthening Women's Political Participation and Leadership" was conducted by UN Women in 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.