International “Women Shaping Peace”

International “Women Shaping Peace”

          On October 31, 2024, the International Webinar “Women Shaping Peace: A Call for Action to Amplify Meaningful Participation in Crisis and Political Complex Settings”, organized by the UNDP. This event aimed at promoting a dialogue between influential women leaders from Yemen, Iraq, Papua-New Guinea and Ukraine, who work to support peace, prevent conflicts and contribute to stability.

          Olga MELNYK, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Social Development of Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, Head of the NGO Center for Gender Education, made from Ukraine.

          During the meeting, the participants discussed how to catalyze the transformation shift necessary to ensure the significant participation of women in the entire spectrum of peace and security.

          In particular, MELNYK Olga focused on the role of a woman in restoring social cohesion in the conditions of war: “Together, combining efforts at all levels – from personal to state, we can build a strong, cohesive and stable society that not only overcomes the challenges of war, But will provide development and prosperity for future generations. And a woman – a Ukrainian woman – plays an important role in this process today. “

          On the example of the activities of the NGO, NGO “Chernihiv European” participant of the event focused on the contribution of public organizations led by women, in the process of reconstruction of Chernihiv Polytechnic National University. She also focused on the project activity of the NGO, which is the basis of social cohesion.

          Special attention of the speaker was paid to the implementation of the project “Women – Agent of Social Cohesion and Reconstruction in Communities”, thanks to the support of UNDP and financial assistance of the France government, which helps young women to join these processes through training and initiative aimed at developing communication skills, conflicts and conflicts and conflicts. I counteract gender violence. Also, as O. MELNYK noted, the project includes training a gender approach to community restoration so that women have the opportunity to influence plans and implement their initiatives at the local level: “These projects help women make their contribution to changes, affecting local policies and processes of acceptance decisions. Thanks to such initiatives, we are not just talking about women’s rights, we give them tools for action, ”Olga MELNYK summed up.

Olga MELNYK expressed his gratitude to the organizers for the opportunity to join an important international dialogue and to exchange experience with women leaders who are working on peacekeeping initiatives in different parts of the world. She stressed that such events combine efforts to achieve common goals and create a platform to strengthen a woman’s voice in peace, safety and development.