On April 7, an interactive online meeting was held on the topic “Prejudices Against Women and Among Women.” The event was organized by the Novogrodivka City Military Administration in collaboration with the Department of Family, Youth, and Public Events for National-Patriotic Education of the Donetsk Regional State Administration.
The event brought together women leaders, representatives of government bodies, and experts from all communities in the Donetsk region to discuss pressing issues in gender policy.
Oleksandr Shevchenko, Deputy Head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, addressed the participants: “You are not merely fulfilling your official duties—you are holding the lives of entire communities in your hands during the most difficult times. Women’s leadership in Donetsk Oblast today is about resilience, empathy, and the ability to make decisions where others lack the courage.”
The event’s speaker was Oksana Yarosh—a Ph.D. in Political Science, professor at Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, head of the Gender Studies Laboratory, and co-founder of the NGO “Diyachky.” Ms. Oksana is a leading expert on gender equality policy and political analysis.
During the meeting, participants discussed the causes of gender bias against women and its persistence in society, including why women sometimes perpetuate the gender stereotypes that limit them, as well as what misogyny is and how it affects professional fulfillment.
The event served as a platform for open dialogue, the exchange of experiences, and the search for effective ways to overcome gender barriers in the professional environment.
“My personal goal as the initiator of this meeting is for us to stop being competitors where we should be sisters. We must become a force that not only withstands the blow but also strengthens everyone standing beside us. Today, we are learning to recognize these pitfalls and turn them into solidarity,” noted Olga Sidorova, Deputy Head of the Novogrodivka Military-Civilian Administration.
In conclusion, the participants agreed that overcoming prejudice requires systematic work and raising awareness. It is precisely through awareness of the problem and joint action that it is possible to ensure truly equal rights and opportunities for women and men in all spheres of public life.
According to information from the Novogrodivka Municipal Administration