Women and girls with disabilities go to Prague to learn how to defend their rights
For the first time, during the full-scale russian invasion, Fight For Right is holding a political participation school for girls and women with disabilities “LEADERKA” abroad, in Prague, Czech Republic!
During 4 days from 9 to 12 July 2023, women and girls with disabilities will learn from the best speakers in Europe and the world how to defend their rights. 5 of them will have the opportunity to do internships at Ukrainian and European institutions.
“LEADERKA” – School of Political Participation for Girls and Women with Disabilities – was established in 2019 to teach women and girls with disabilities to defend their rights and worldviews using the tools of political participation and to motivate them to take an active part in the political and public life of the country. This year, the school will be held for the third time.
First, 40 participants completed online training and 15 of the most motivated and active participants were selected to travel to Prague. Among the invited trainers are well-known activists, politicians, advocates and media personalities. They include human rights activist Iryna Fedorovych, Ukrainian writer and presenter Larysa Denysenko, Israel’s first deaf MP Shirley Pinto, and others.
To get to the LEADERKA School in Prague, 15 participants recorded a video on the topic “Modern Challenges for Girls and Women with Disabilities in Ukraine. How to overcome them”. In the video, they talked about the challenges faced by women with disabilities who are invisible to society every day and shared their vision of change and influence to improve the situation.
Alumnae of previous schools have completed internships at the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Social Policy, the Central Election Commission, the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Office of the Advisor to the Presidential Commissioner for Accessibility, and the Ministry of Social Policy.
“Women and girls with disabilities have made and continue to make history. Ukraine is currently at war and we must respond to the challenges we face. Today, women and girls are holding arms, volunteering, and holding leadership positions. But we still need to talk about visibility and advocate for the opportunity to be included in decision-making processes. Government policies will not take us into account unless we create them ourselves. The role of girls and women with disabilities in rebuilding Ukraine, in implementing changes in our country, in bringing our common victory closer is very important. That’s why the LEADERKA School of Political Participation is as timely as ever. This is a chance for all women and girls to change their lives and their country,” says Tatiana Gerasimova, director of Fight For Right.
The initiative is implemented by the NGO “Fight For Right” with the support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
Background:
This year, the School of Political Participation will be held abroad for the first time – in Prague, Czech Republic.
For interview requests, additional details, or accreditation, please contact: o.solonska@ffr.org.ua (Oksana Solonska, Communications Director, Fight For Right)
Founded in 2017 by people with disabilities, Fight For Right has been working in turbo mode and has become the No. 1 organisation in Ukraine for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities.
Fight For Right is:
- expertise on the rights of people with disabilities, equality and non-discrimination;
- adherence to international standards for policies and legislation in the field of disability rights;
- knowledge of disability from A to Z from the experience of people with disabilities;
- close ties with the community across Ukraine;
- partnership with the government, business, and media.
