Kseniia Mishyna is a community leader from Ukraine. Throughout the war, she has exemplified selfless dedication and unwavering resilience as the village headwoman of the Dniprovks district in Bilozershchina, Kherson region. She manages four villages, inspiring change and providing crucial support to her community.

As the village headwoman, Kseniia’s responsibilities include safe evacuation of local residents, sourcing vital items such as fire extinguishers and generators, and overseeing the maintenance of electricity and gas networks. Her adept driving skills allow her to navigate the dangerous front lines, where missile attacks are a daily occurrence.

In areas where basic local infrastructure has collapsed, Kseniia provides essential humanitarian aid. On a regular basis, she loads a full car with bread and delivers it to areas dangerous to enter, due to the ongoing security risks. Every day, she overcomes dozens of challenges, addressing the diverse needs and requests of residents. The impact of her work is crucial, yet the need for support remains urgent.

Despite her resilience, Kseniia’s work takes a toll on her health and mental well-being. The constant pressure and emotional burden of hearing hundreds of stories of pain and suffering, leave a mark, heightening the risk of burnout.

"I can't imagine myself anywhere else. However, now I feel that my activities are exhausting me. Managing a team, negotiating, finding money, suppliers, logistics... And suddenly, I realized I did not have a single day of rest. I can’t remember when I last ate, slept calmly, had time for relatives or took care of myself," Kseniia says.

In the face of overwhelming responsibilities and the ongoing war, Kseniia recognized the importance of self-care and sought psychological support at the NGO "Bylozerskiy Center for Regional Development", an implementing partner of CSO “International Alert” supported by UN Women Ukraine and funded by the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).

During her consultations, Kseniia openly discussed the challenges she faced, including stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, high level of responsibility, irritability, and difficulties in managing her personal life and health. With guidance, Kseniia developed effective strategies for stress management and took a necessary break from her duties to restore her strength and energy, enabling her to continue her important work in the community.

Now Kseniia is an active participant in the women's club “HappyMe” within her community, where women create a safe space for communication, inspiration, support, and rest. They paint, sculpt, drink tea and talk, exchanging experiences and plans for the future. Encouraged by her consultations and support from other women, Kseniia embarked on a new chapter by joining a mini-accelerator programme focused on women's entrepreneurship to realize her long-standing dream: creating a sewing workshop in her community. Now she is devotedly working to turn her dream into reality.

"You have two hands, one to help yourself and the second to help others. First, we need to take care of ourselves! Only stable and healthy people don’t give up, dream, and help others," concludes Kseniia.

The project is produced by CSO “International Alert”, funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with technical support of UN Women Ukraine. The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.

This story is produced with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

In Samburu County, where tradition long dictated that leadership was the domain of men, Rebecca Lolosoli dared to dream differently. Her vision for change required a position of influence, and she boldly decided to run for an MCA seat. But this wasn’t just a challenge to the established norms—it was personal. Rebecca ran against her own husband. 

Her decision sent shockwaves through the community. Whispers of disbelief spread from one manyatta to the next as people struggled to comprehend her audacity. Rebecca wasn’t merely challenging the cultural status quo; she was upending the expectations within her own household. 

Throughout her campaign, delegates from the community, both men and women, urged her to step down. Their pleas reflected deeply ingrained beliefs that women had no place in leadership. “Why are you vying for this position when there are women’s roles?” they would ask. But Rebecca, adorned in the symbolic beads that carried the stories of her people, remained steadfast. She knew that to change the system, she had to challenge it head-on. 

Though she did not win the seat for Waso Ward in Samburu County, her determination and grit earned her a nomination as an MCA in a different regime, separate from her husband’s. For Rebecca, this was a victory in itself. She saw it as proof that women, too, can lead and make a difference. This belief now fuels her efforts as she mentors young women and girls, sharing her story and encouraging them to pursue leadership roles. 

Creating Safe Spaces for Women and Girls 

Rebecca’s fight for gender equality didn’t stop with her political aspirations. In 1990, she founded Village with No Men, a rescue centre that offers support to young women fleeing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), victims of domestic conflict, and survivors of gender-based violence. Over the years, the centre has become a beacon of hope for women and girls in the community, providing a safe space and contributing to the establishment of a local school. 

Reflecting on her journey, Rebecca acknowledges the numerous obstacles she faced during her campaign. A lack of financial resources, societal norms that confined women to domestic roles, and an absence of strategic support made her path to leadership an uphill battle. Yet, despite these challenges and concerns for her safety, she woke up every day and went to her people, determined to make her mark. 

Rebecca is also deeply grateful for the ongoing training she receives on county governance and leadership, provided by Uraia Trust with support from UN Women and funding from Global Affairs Canada. “These resources have been invaluable in helping me become a more effective leader, and that is what I aim to be in the near future,” she shared. 

Leading for Change 

The road to gender equality is long, but Rebecca is committed to walking it. “Women here neither own livestock nor land, even if their husbands are deceased,” she explains. Despite these entrenched inequalities, she remains undeterred, confident that her leadership will bring about lasting change. 

For Rebecca, women are the true keepers of their families and communities. “Women know all the problems—those of the household, the kids, and even the husbands,” she says. She believes that the impact women have within their homes can ripple out to transform the broader community. As she advocates for more training and knowledge of women’s rights, Rebecca is equipping her fellow women with the tools they need to step into leadership roles.

Rebecca Lolosoli’s story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in the power of women to lead. Against all odds, she continues to break barriers, inspiring a new generation of women to pursue leadership and fight for their communities. 

Isha S.Y. Sumah, a 20-year-old university student, has always had a strong desire to make a difference in her community. Growing up in a society where gender inequality and violence against women and girls were rampant, she witnessed firsthand the suffering of women abused by their husbands, often with no consequences for the perpetrators. These experiences fueled her determination to fight for a society free from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), where both men and women can enjoy equal rights.

For years, discussions around gender equality in Sierra Leone had been stagnant, with little progress made toward passing crucial legislation. However, thanks to the combined efforts of UN Women and other partners, the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act was finally enacted in 2022. This landmark legislation marked a turning point in the country’s journey toward gender equality, providing women with greater opportunities for leadership. The results were clear: women’s representation in Parliament doubled from 14.5% in 2018 to 30.4% in 2023, and female local counselors increased from 18.7% to 34%.

Isha describes this moment as pivotal in her advocacy journey. “There is never a better moment for me than this,” she said. With the GEWE Act now in place, she is more eager than ever to advocate for women’s and girls’ human rights in Sierra Leone. This is why she seized the opportunity to participate in a five-day training organized by UN Women in June 2024, focusing on critical issues such as Sexual and Gender-Based Violence referrals, gender entrepreneurship leadership, and sensitization on the GEWE Act.

Before this training, Isha acknowledged having little knowledge about the GEWE Act or how to address SGBV effectively. “I have never benefited from such a transformative and life-changing experience before” she reflects. The interactive sessions were a true eye-opener, according to Isha, who now feels more aware of the harsh realities many young people face daily, especially those who fall victim to SGBV. She feels more knowledgeable about the legal framework surrounding the GEWE Act and better equipped to advocate effectively for gender equality. “Now, I know how to better support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence,” she testifies.

Empowered by this newly acquired knowledge, Isha is determined to share what she has learned with her peers and other community members. Together, they can contribute to breaking the silence and raising awareness about the GEWE Act, SGBV, and the importance of women’s and girls’ empowerment in Sierra Leone.

Despite the challenges ahead, Isha remains strong in her activism. She aspires to one day open a safe home for SGBV survivors, providing them with refuge and holistic support, empowering them to regain their lives and participate as active community members.

With the help of UN Women, Isha is just one of many young men and women now leading the gender equality movement in Sierra Leone, ensuring that the future is brighter and provides equal opportunities for all.

Justice for racist and sexist violence against indigenous women and girls in Argentina

“The voices of Indigenous women cannot be silenced as these sexual violations [persist]…It wasn’t until 2009, when the Law No. 26,485 was passed, that we were able to speak out more on this issue.”

Law No. 26,485 of Integral Protection of Women recognized women’s right to live without violence and access legal help and comprehensive care.

UN Women’s global research shows that progressive laws matter – The countries that have passed laws to stop domestic violence, have lower rates of intimate partner violence (9.5 per cent compared to 16.1 per cent).

“Today, Indigenous women are determined to break the sexist, racist stereotypes that have labeled us as the poor, the invisible ones, who do not speak Spanish, and who do not dress in western clothes.”

“Women’s rights are universal rights”, said Cari.

Women’s organizations like Women’s Forum for Equal Opportunities and the Las Macachas network have made the issue visible through their outreach and prevention activities.

Their efforts have shown some promising results: in 2014, the State of Salta declared a social emergency due to gender violence and expanded services for survivors. More recently, the Government of Salta has publicly denounced “chineo” as child sexual abuse, however no law specifically addresses the crime.

The women’s movement is asking the State to classify “chineo” as a hate crime and systematic sexual violence, punishable under the law, and funds for recovery of the victims and to support prevention efforts.

Unabated, violence against women escalates to femicide – deliberate killing of women because of their gender

“Violence is rooted in the daily lives of families, and in social and cultural practices in our province”, said Cari. “Underestimating women and using violent language against them is normalized.”

Cari mentioned some cases where existing laws are broken when it comes to protecting women from gender-based violence. And, unabated, the violence escalates.

“The most recent case of femicide occurred when a woman called the emergency number asking for help, because of threats from her former partner”, shared Cari. “The police arrived at the scene, but did not act when the man escaped. Within hours, he returned and killed her.”

Cari points to the failure of the authorities in activating existing prevention measures and evaluating the risks when complaints of violence are made by women.

Since a legal reform of the Penal Code in 2012, the killing of a woman in the context of gender-based violence is punishable with life imprisonment, although Argentina does not have a specific law on femicide.

“Femicides haven’t stopped, although they are preventable and avoidable”, said Cari. “Across Argentina, in 2023, there were 250 victims of femicide. In the province of Salta, 20 femicides have been recorded so far this year.”

Cari and other feminists recommend examining the results of the application of the gender-based violence legislation in the province of Salta over the past 10 years and transforming public policies accordingly. They also stress on economic empowerment of women, “since equality includes overcoming women’s poverty.”

“We need funds to promote women’s participation – not only in public policy making, but also to participate in elections”, she said, pointing to the need for feminist voices who can advocate for stronger policies to curb gender-based violence and the intentional killing of women.

“But violence and political harassment [against women in politics] is very strong. It’s not easy, being a woman, a politician, and indigenous. By raising our voices, we risk becoming one more femicide.”

UN Women’s project Women Make Change* underscores the importance of increasing women’s participation and leadership in politics at all levels. Despite global advancements, women continue to be underrepresented in politics, particularly at the subnational level. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), women encounter significant obstacles, including cultural norms, limited resources, and discrimination. Presently, only three out of 118 members of national parliament are women, and just 2 per cent of subnational ward members.

UN Women is dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in PNG. Recently, UN Women conducted the initiative Political Leadership and Campaign Strategies Training for women leaders across the country’s four regions. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of women leaders at the subnational level who are planning to contest the upcoming election, enabling them to effectively participate in political processes and elections, some for the first time. The trainings were held simultaneously in Lae for the Momase region, Hagen for the Highlands region, and Port Moresby for the Niugini and Southern regions. A total of 121 women attended. Attendants were equipped with knowledge of political systems, campaign strategies, messaging, and communication strategies. The training also fostered networking and collaboration among participants.

“As the sitting ward member of Ward 8 in Kimbe Urban Local Level Government in West New Britain Province, I have gained invaluable skills and knowledge from this training,” said Paula Golpak, one of the participants of the Niugini Islands region training. “It has equipped us with concrete strategies and a deeper understanding of effective governance, further motivating us to plan and prepare thoroughly for the upcoming election and prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable."

One of the participants for the Momase training in Lae, Osore Baafe from Madang, said: “We are honoured and privileged to have attended this training. It has made us realize our potential to participate in the political leadership race. This training has equipped us with the necessary tools, skills, and resources to prepare ourselves for the election. This is also a stepping stone for those who want to participate in the 2027 national election.”

During the closing ceremony of the Southern region workshop, the national Minister for Community Development, Youth, and Religion Jason Peter encouraged the women leaders to be positive and excel in every aspect of life, including politics.

“Because of my mother, I came this far, and I value the contributions my mum made for me and my siblings,” Peter said. “Her story empowers me and continues to remind me to value women’s empowerment and gender equality principles. You know your background and how far you have come; even some of you are leaders in your own homes, so continue to be the best."

Australian Deputy High Commissioner Joanne Loundes stated: “The Australia and Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum recently reiterated the need to prioritize gender equality, further expand the gender and social inclusion partnership, and address family, sexual, and sorcery-related violence. We are working on our five-year investment programme, which will fund this particular programme for PNG Women Lead and also support the expansion of women’s leadership in Papua New Guinea.”

UN Women Head of Office Adekemi Ndieli said: “The initiative seeks to promote gender equality in political leadership and strengthen democratic processes by building a diverse and capable cadre of women leaders who can effectively advocate for their communities, implement policies that address local needs, and inspire future generations of women to engage in governance and public service.” The training is part of UN Women’s programme Women Make Change, implemented in collaboration with the Papuan government’s Department for Community Development, Youth, and Religion and with funding support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

A project supported by UN Women is equipping women would-be political leaders with the skills, knowledge and connections to wage more effective election campaigns at national and local levels.