Stand with Ukrainian Women: Newsletter 10

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has now entered its second year. We noted this with dismay and sadness during our recent meeting with our Ukrainian partners from the "Together for Democracy" project.

Five delegates traveled to Berlin at the end of February. The occasion was the "We Choose Freedom" event series, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation on February 27 at "Café Kyiv" in Berlin. "The Strong Women of Ukraine" were there with us. Under this motto, we spoke with them about partnerships and perspectives for our continued collaboration. Our project to empower local female politicians, which we have successfully conducted in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation since October 2021, has come to an end. For now. We firmly believe that the connections we have forged, the trust and solidarity we have built, and the experiences and skills we have exchanged will continue.

Looking for city partnerships

Future collaborations are already in the works: A lecture series has been agreed upon between the University of Customs and Finance in Dnipro and the University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration in Meißen, Saxony, which will begin in the coming semester. The facilitator of this cooperation was the Vice-Rector of the University of Dnipro, Irina Gritsay. She has been one of our project partners from the very beginning. Yuliia Siedaia, an expert in health and gender issues, will initiate a professional exchange between the Charité University Hospital in Berlin and hospitals in her hometown of Kharkiv.

We have pledged to help several mayors and municipal leaders in eastern and southern Ukraine find German partner communities. In doing so, we are relying on the support of the Association of German Cities and the network of female local politicians from the Helene Weber College.

The second front

The active women in Ukraine's municipalities and communities—whether in administrations, councils, or civil society organizations—are the backbone of this cruel and grueling defensive war. They are the second front. We have observed this time and again over the past year with great respect.

Our project is dedicated to them and their fellow campaigners. This included online seminars aimed at strengthening their skills and standing as female leaders—most recently with a training session on "Micropolitics and Gender". It was once again very well received by the participants. They reported back with gratitude that, especially in a state of social and emotional emergency, there is often a lack of time to focus on oneself and one's own resilience.

Our pre-Christmas fundraising campaign #StandwithUkrainianWomen – Winter Aid also supported our partners. With the goods provided, they were not only able to offer concrete help in various ways, but they were also able to demonstrate that they are reaching out internationally to organize aid and that they are being heard and taken seriously as advocates for their country. This strengthens their authority. This report provides details on how the donations were used. this report provides information.

This final special Ukraine newsletter is therefore not a farewell, but a promise for the future, a call for support, and a request to you, our readers: Stand with Ukrainian Women. Now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Helga Lukoschat
EAF Chair of the Board