«Ukrainian women have unique courage,» Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk opened the Ukrainian Women's Congress 2025
23 October 2025, 19:38
Olena Kondratiuk, Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, opened the Ukrainian Women's Congress 2025 in Kyiv.
The slogan of this year's Congress was "Courage to be yourself!".
"We have learnt for a long time - I have the right to say No! No to bullying, no to violence, no to sexism, no to inequality. Now we are practising the courage to say YES. Yes to a career change. Yes to helping others. Yes to learning in adulthood. Yes to a leadership position. Yes to a third child. Yes to life despite the war. Every YES is courage! Everyone who says YES is brave!" said Olena Kondratiuk in her speech.
The co-founder of the UWC is convinced that the courage of a modern Ukrainian woman is about heroic deeds at the front and everyday strength, which often looks "ordinary" but is actually extraordinary.
"Women in the military have ignited our courage. And now courage is transmitted like fire!" said Olena Kondratiuk.
Speaking about this year's Women's WLC, the Vice Speaker noted that this platform gave courageous women a voice and made them visible. "After all, visibility is not about the spotlight, but about the right to influence," emphasised Olena Kondratiuk.
The participants of the Congress heard the stories of women whose courage is changing Ukraine every day on four discussion platforms: Courage to be the first; Courage to be visible; Courage to be in power; Courage to be different.
In her speech, Olena Kondratiuk also reminded that Ukrainian women have unique courage because during the war they are not afraid to join the army, open new businesses, volunteer, lead communities, and raise children.
"Courage is the moment when fear does not disappear, but it no longer controls your life," said Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk.
Ukrainian Women's Congress is a unique national platform for promoting equality policy in Ukraine. It was founded in 2017. Thanks to the activities of the Congress, Ukraine has lifted the ban on 450 "male" professions for women, adopted a gender quota in elections, and granted women access to higher military education and permission to hold combat officer positions. The co-founders of the Congress are Olena Kondratiuk, Mariia Ionova and Svitlana Voitsekhovska.