First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska addressed the participants of the Ukrainian Women’s Congress 2025 online. The event’s slogan was “The Courage to Be Yourself,” and it focused on stories of women whose courage is transforming Ukraine every day.
“When we see women changing professions – installing solar panels, mastering machinery, assembling drones, driving heavy vehicles – is it only about the new responsibilities brought on by the war, or also about self-realization? In my view, whenever a person takes a brave and conscious step, they always take it toward themselves. Being yourself is not something static – it is constant growth,” Olena Zelenska emphasized.
The event included four discussion platforms: “The Courage to Be First” – focusing on youth, innovation, and technology; “The Courage to Be Visible” – about women in communities and business; “The Courage to Be in Power” – on political participation and leadership; “The Courage to Be Different” – on diversity and inclusion.
The First Lady noted that, according to statistics, this year the world reached its best indicators of gender equality since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The global gender gap index decreased to 68.8%. Ukraine ranks 62nd, having closed 73% of the gap, reflecting the progress the country has made in addressing related challenges.
“But there are still gaps to close. Therefore, for women to truly be themselves, to unlock their potential and fulfill it fully, we must create opportunities – a comfortable infrastructure. Guaranteed kindergartens, safe schools with shelters, accessible healthcare, transport, housing, attention to their needs, and care. To be yourself in a way that makes life around you better – that is the ideal formula both for a person and for a country. And Ukrainian women are already making it a reality,” the First Lady concluded.