EU-supported conference champions women’s leadership in Ukraine

A conference on the ‘Gender dimensions of reconstruction: Institutional support for women’s leadership’ was organised on 13 May by the Kyiv City State Administration to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Kyiv Academy of Women’s Leadership. The event was organised with the support of the EU4GenderEquality Reform Helpdesk project, funded by the European Union and implemented by NIRAS.

The conference brought together about 70 national and local government representatives, alongside stakeholders from academia, the public sector and international partners to champion the role of women’s leadership in reconstruction processes and promote gender-responsive decision-making.

The Kyiv Academy of Women’s Leadership is a key centre of knowledge and support for the development of women’s leadership in Ukraine. It brings together women who are transforming governance culture by advocating for social change, promoting democratic values and spearheading women’s increased participation in decision-making. Over the past five years, 270 women involved in city governments, the public sector, international projects, the social sphere and business have completed programmes at the academy.

“Today, this is no longer just an educational initiative,” said Yulia Lykhach, Director of the Higher School of Public Administration at Ukraine’s National Civil Service Agency, speaking of the Kyiv Academy of Women’s Leadership. “It is a strong professional community of women who are changing management culture, taking responsibility and making decisions. What is especially valuable is that the Academy not only provides education but also fosters a new culture of leadership – one that is people-centred, inclusive, and based on respect, cooperation and responsibility,” she emphasised. 

During the conference, participants also discussed the implementation of European Union management standards, women’s leadership in local politics, educational innovations, and practical tools for supporting women during wartime.

The conference was part of the EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk project’s support for gender equality and women’s empowerment across the Eastern Neighbourhood region, including in Ukraine. This includes support for initiatives that expand opportunities for women, and strengthen institutional capacities to advance women’s leadership in the context of Ukraine’s sustainable recovery.

Learn more about the EU’s support for gender equality in the Eastern Neighbourhood region

• Factsheet on the EU4Gender Reform Helpdesk Phase II
• EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk Phase II project page
• Gender Equality Library
• EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk Phase I project page