New Voices for Equality: How 156 young leaders implemented nine campaigns for gender equality
Date:
Gender stereotypes continue to significantly influence people’s lives, reinforcing inequality and limiting choices. To shift these narratives, we need new approaches—modern, creative, and context-sensitive. This idea became the foundation of the Equality.Leadership.Future initiative, implemented by the NGO Girls and UN Women Ukraine in 2024–2025.
The programme brought together 156 young activists from civil society, public institutions, and the private sector who are committed to challenging stereotypes, influencing policies, and building safer and more just communities. As a result of the training programme and a project competition, participants implemented nine communication and advocacy campaigns that reached hundreds of thousands of people across Ukraine.
About the Initiative
Participants completed a training programme on analysing and countering gender stereotypes, planning advocacy campaigns, storytelling, media engagement, promotional strategies, and ethical standards. In total, 31 project proposals were submitted to the competition, and nine received funding for implementation.
Key campaigns and their impact
The team highlighted the need for full implementation of the Istanbul Convention through a series of interviews and podcasts featuring human rights defenders, parliamentarians, and representatives of state institutions. The campaign reached an audience of over 569,000, and the materials were published on national media platforms. The chosen format helped illustrate how laws are changing and what barriers remain.
This project showcased real stories of LGBTQ+ people and their families. Exhibitions in three cities, a series of publications, and printed zines created a safe space for dialogue about acceptance. The campaign reached an audience of over 50,000, and more than 550 visitors attended the exhibitions.
The team explored the experiences of women working in male-dominated professions and developed practical recommendations for employers and educational institutions. A total of 250 women participated in the survey, with 57% reporting discrimination. The checklist was shared with 150 organizations, and media publications reached an audience of over 200,000.
All About Diabetes
In Kryvyi Rih, the team focused on supporting children with type 1 diabetes in schools and kindergartens. 215 teachers and medical staff received training, and 1,000 informational materials were distributed to educational institutions. The campaign contributed to the development of more inclusive approaches to working with children.
Gender in the Mrynska Hromada
Participants created a youth ambassador group, conducted training sessions in local lyceums, and held a facilitation session with members of the village council. The outcome included recommendations for integrating gender-responsive approaches into the community’s recovery plan.
Together Different, Together Equal
This campaign worked with adolescents aged 12–16 through social media, workshops, and surveys. 175 viewers joined the live sessions on TikTok, and young people from five educational institutions participated in workshops. The youth-oriented format encouraged open conversations about stereotypes.
No Stereotypes, No Violence
In Kremenchuk, the team worked with specialists who support survivors of domestic violence. 21 professionals completed the training, and the creative initiative titled “Break the Stereotypes” engaged 14 teenagers. Support from regional authorities strengthened the campaign’s impact.
Supporting Employment Opportunities for Women in Khmelnytskyi Region
The project included psychological support meetings and a job fair specifically for women, including those who are internally displaced. The campaign reached an audience of over 100,000, and 104 women secured employment. Cooperation with the Employment Center ensured a long-term impact.
Equality in Action: Youth Voices in Decision-Making
The campaign integrated gender components into the work of five youth councils in Zhytomyr region. Over 100 young people took part in training and meetings. The developed recommendations were incorporated into official council documents, ensuring sustainable change.
Results and Next Steps
The nine campaigns reached hundreds of thousands of people across Ukraine. But the most important results lie in lasting changes within communities, schools, youth councils, and public institutions. Teachers now know how to support children with diabetes; women in non-traditional professions have gained visibility and support; young people are influencing government decisions; and communities are integrating gender-responsive approaches into their recovery planning.
The Equality.Leadership.Future initiative has become a platform for developing a new wave of young leaders who continue implementing their own projects in their communities. This is not a final story, but an ongoing process carried forward by 156 voices advocating equality, and nine models that other teams and communities can scale up.
The Equality.Leadership.Future initiative is implemented by the NGO Girls within the framework of the UN Women’s project "Women's Increased Leadership for Resilient and Peaceful Societies" funded by the Government of Denmark, as well as the project “Transformational Approaches to Achieving Gender Equality in Ukraine" implemented 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 and in partnerships with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine. Financial support for the initiative is also provided by the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).