The Courage to Be Yourself: Roma Women and Minority Representatives at the Ukrainian Women’s Congress 2025

On October 23, the Ukrainian Women’s Congress 2025 took place in Kyiv—the leading national platform that for nine years has united women leaders and allies to promote gender equality and expand opportunities for women in Ukraine.

This year’s Congress was held under the theme “The Courage to Be Yourself!” — and for the first time in history, the voices of women from marginalized communities and national minorities were heard from the main stage.

Representatives of the Roma Women’s Fund “Chirikli” — Yuliya Kondur and Yana Prodan — joined this important event.

Key Discussion Topics

During the panel discussions, participants spoke about:

• inclusive leadership and the representation of women from diverse communities in public life;
• overcoming stereotypes and barriers that still stand in the way of women from marginalized groups;
• the importance of mutual support and visibility.

Voices That Inspire Change

On the Congress stage, Olena Shevchenko, head of the NGO “Insight”, spoke about the courage to be yourself despite stereotypes. Activist Yana Prodan shared how Roma women overcome barriers, pursue education, and actively engage in community life. Meanwhile, Anastasia Divinska, international gender expert and the first head of “UN Women” in Ukraine (2014–2019), emphasized that inclusivity and equality are not temporary trends but the foundation of a sustainable democratic society.

Supporting Roma and Minority Women

The Chirikli Foundation supported the participation of Roma women and representatives of other national communities in the Congress.

We believe that visibility is power. Every voice raised by a woman from a national minority makes our society fairer and stronger. 💪

Ukrainian Women’s Congress
Juliya Kondur
Insight LGBTQ NGO

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