Analytical report “Women in media and activism: challenges, risks and opportunities in wartime”
Ukrainian women’s participation in various forms of activism has historical roots and long-standing traditions. However, there has not always been sufficient information about women’s activities for the benefit of the community and Ukrainian society as a whole. This refers to visibility as a sign of recognition of the importance of half of society’s contribution to its well-being and development.
The visibility of women in volunteering and activism began to change during the 2013-2014 Euromaidan protests, known as the Revolution of Dignity. Women were the ones who “made the revolution” on an equal footing with men, rather than just “helping” to make it. When the Russian-Ukrainian war began in 2014, women actively joined military and non-military activities and organised various forms of volunteering. There were times when women put the interests and needs of those they were helping first, ignoring the gendered challenges they themselves faced — gender stereotypes, discrimination, violence.
This study describes the challenges faced by women who are actively involved in civic life in the country, initiating, highlighting or supporting social, political, cultural and human rights changes in the context of the war and martial law in Ukraine.
It summarises the results of documenting cases of persecution and pressure on women activists and journalists, as well as sociological research on the situation of activists, human rights defenders, media workers and volunteers, their opportunities to work in their chosen field and the obstacles they face. The report is intended for a wide range of readers, including representatives of state authorities and international organisations responsible for protecting human rights, supporting civil society and gender equality, researchers, representatives of the non-governmental sector and the media community.
The analytical report is available in English and Ukrainian.
