Olena Zelenska: ‘All women, including myself, need victory’

On 21 September 2022, the third edition of the ‘Women in Conflicts’ event took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, with a special focus on the voices of young women working in conflict or post-conflict regions. The event was co-hosted by European Council President Charles Michel together with UN Women. 

Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, and Iryna Dovgan, Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence (Ukraine), joined the discussion that brought together women activists, survivors and leaders from differents countries.

In the light of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Olena Zelenska highlighted the critical role played by Ukrainian women in defending their country and leading efforts for peace: “I am very proud of what our women are doing. All women, each and every one of us, including myself, we need victory”.

“Whether it’s Olena Zelenska, Nadia Murad [Nobel Peace Prize Laureate from Iraq] and others, this ability to transform horror into an energy that radiates a message of hope is extremely moving. It must transport us and bring us to be very committed, not just with words but by taking action,” said Charles Michel, President of the European Council.

The full recordings of the discussion are available in English, French and Ukrainian.

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Press release