Gender Democracy

Discover the story of Olha Franko — a pioneering Ukrainian intellectual, feminist, folklorist, and wife of Ivan Franko. From her role in shaping Ukraine’s cultural identity and women’s movement to her tragic personal journey, this lecture from the HERLectory series unveils a life lived with quiet strength and lasting impact.

With the biography of Hanna Barvinok (1828-1911; literary pseudonym of Oleksandra Kulish from the Bilozerska household), one can study the entire history of our social life at that time. 

Patriot, philanthropist, founder of the Taras Shevchenko Scientific Society, inspirer of the women's movement and active participant in the social and cultural life of Poltava in the second half of the 19th century. Her contribution to the development of Ukrainian education, printing and orphanages left a deep mark on history. Learn more about the woman who united the Ukrainian movement on both sides of the imperial border.

Sofia Okunevska is the first female doctor with a university education in Austria-Hungary, a symbol of women's emancipation and service to people. Her path is a fight for the right to learn, treat, create and be heard. From Zurich to Lviv, from science to self-sacrificing medicine during the war - her story is inspiring and moving. Learn more about the woman who was called "Saint Sophia" and who paved the way for others.

"Carrying the Warmth of Hearts Across Borders" — a Project About the Visibility of Ukrainian Women Worldwide This international cultural diplomacy initiative highlights the contributions of Ukrainian women to history, politics, culture, and the global women’s movement. Through lectures, open classes, archival research, and international events in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, the project revives forgotten names, fosters new connections among women’s organizations, and lays the groundwork for joint research initiatives. The project is implemented with the support of the Ukrainian Women's Fund and in partnership with the Gender Culture Center, the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA, and the Ukrainian National Women's League of America.

Yelyzaveta Drentel’n (1857–1923) was a physician, educator, and reformer. She was the first to establish modern gynecological care for women in Kharkiv: she founded the "Women's Aid" hospital, ensured year-round patient admission, and provided free treatment for low-income women.Yelyzaveta Serhiivna not only treated patients but also worked to change societal attitudes toward women's health, actively advocating for women's rights and their role in public life.Her contribution remains little known today, but its impact is still tangible.Olha Nikolenko, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor at Kharkiv Pedagogical University, and volunteer at the Gender Culture Center, will tell the story of this remarkable woman’s life and work.

What does security in the 21st century look like when we center the voices of women, LGBTQI+ communities, caregivers, and social justice? During a public discussion at the CSW69 NGO Forum, feminist experts from Ukraine shared alternative visions of recovery and peace: from modernizing the armed forces and advancing energy security to the vital role of grassroots civil society in ensuring livable futures. This summary outlines key insights into why feminism must be central to rebuilding and securing Ukraine — and the region — for all.