Cherkasy, Ukraine, 1 April 2025 – The Ukrainian Women’s Congress has been held e in Cherkasy, focusing on the current role and future prospects of women’s participation in the socio-political and economic life of the regions.

According to Olena Kondratiuk, the co-founder of the Ukrainian Women’s Congress and Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the regional dimension is crucial for the Ccongress, as societal changes must occur in two directions: from the top – where decisions are made, and from the bottom – where these decisions are initiated and then implemented.

“It is essential to discuss the role of women not only at the national level but also at the regional level,” Kondratiuk said. “We’re already witnessing a shift in the societal paradigm through the new functions and roles that women have assumed during the war. Women are gladly given responsibility. However, they are still not granted equality in pay and decision-making.”

A key topic of the Ukrainian Women’s Congress was women’s participation in local governance. Participants discussed why women in border regions are more likely to lead communities, while their representation at the regional level remains limited.

A particular focus of the discussions was on the challenges faced by women in rural communities, where their needs are often overlooked at the national level.

Sofiia Khodiuk, Deputy Head of the Kuyalnytska Rural Territorial Community, emphasised that women in rural communities are a true driving force: “Our experience in the Kuyalnytska community proves that when women are given the opportunity to realise their potential in entrepreneurship, governance, international cooperation, and even in areas such as fire safety, it lays the foundation for the sustainable development of the entire community. In difficult times, female leadership helps communities not only to endure but also to thrive.”

Another significant theme of this year’s Congress was women’s economic activity. In 2024, women established 61% of new sole proprietorships and led one in three new businesses. However, most of these enterprises remain small and face considerable barriers to further growth.

Myroslava Mosiiuk, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ukraine Gender Coordinator, stated: "When women are empowered economically, entire communities thrive. One woman’s ability to work - enabled by something as simple as weekend childcare - means income for her family, taxes for the local budget, and demand for goods and services, which fuels economic growth. It’s a ripple effect: we see stronger local economies, healthier families, and better opportunities for the next generation. Women’s economic empowerment isn’t just about gender equality - it’s smart economics."

Oleksandr Solontai, an expert in local development, added: “Community recovery is impossible without taking into account the voices of all residents. Women are active participants in this process, and their involvement in strategic recovery planning is not just important but essential. In the current context, their participation is crucial.  An inclusive approach to decision-making allows for more rational resource use, addresses the real needs of communities, and builds a sustainable foundation for their development.”

Between 2023 and 2024, ten pilot communities took part in a UNDP project on recovery and development planning. These communities received expert support in developing strategic plans and strategies, assessing corruption risks, and strengthening the capacity of local authorities for effective governance and crisis response. Based on this experience, at the end of 2024, UNDP launched the next phase of the project, engaging 20 new partner communities.

The Ukrainian Women’s Congress was held with the support of a range of national and international partners, including UNDP, and with funding from the Government of Japan.

Media inquiries:

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Team Leader, yuliia.samus@undp.org