Women’s Peace Leadership Programme: Anna Popsui (Ukraine), Farima Nawabi (Afghanistan) and Galyna Kotliuk (Ukraine)
Anna Popsui, Ukrainian activist and Head of the Young Peacebuilding Leaders (YPL) network, remembers first encountering sexism and gender-based discrimination during her first year at university. At the time she was studying International Relations and English for the Bachelor's Degree. Anna had hardly imagined encountering institutionalised sexism in the supposedly “enlightened” halls of academia, yet she quickly began to notice everyday discrimination stretching like a shadow across her new life.
“It pushed me into women's rights and gender equality activism," says Anna. “Encountering sexism and gender-based discrimination first-hand, and later at my first workplace, sparked my awareness of the need for change and made me realize that the status quo should not be tolerated.”
She chose not to recoil, but to engage, to delve deeper into the discourse of young women's roles in decision-making. Today she combines her work and studies with a non-governmental organization, the Young Peacebuilding Leaders (YPL) network which was established under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250 and is involved in day-to-day dialogue activities on national and local action plans. Her commitment to advancing the cause of gender equality and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda found a new focus with the calamitous events of February 24th 2022 and the tragic effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine. “I believe the Women’s Peace Leadership Programme is a rewarding journey for me to embark on and explore peacebuilding, conflict resolution and prevention with prominent decision-makers, while also expanding a network of young women activists,” she says.
Bridging Gender Gaps Amid Conflict
“My world fell apart on February 24th 2022,” Anna says. “But a prominent Ukrainian poet, Taras Shevchenko once wrote, ‘everyone has their destiny, and one's path is wide.’ I am convinced that one should do what is dear to their heart, and for me, that is eliminating gender disparities. We need to realise that there will be no durable and inclusive peace without women at the negotiation table.”
In practice, the spirit of all women living in Kyiv has been sorely tested in the last couple of years since their world was utterly shattered by Russia’s war. Even in the face of such extreme adversity, women are digging deep to empower themselves and build resilience. Despite the fear and uncertainty caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine, Anna has found the strength and courage to make every effort to support young women in Ukraine and transform adversity into advocacy.
Diplomacy as Grassroots Resilience
Farima Nawabi has also had to face adversity in the course of her advocacy. A former diplomat from Afghanistan, now in political asylum, her past life as a representative of her nation is now impossible. Her transformation into a human rights researcher and advocate was born out of necessity following the Taliban’s takeover of her country in August 2021.
“After the collapse of the country into the hands of the Taliban, I started to connect with individuals and organizations working in the human rights field. I began attending conferences, workshops, and events to advocate for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. It’s now my full-time job and main goal in life.”
Despite losing her country, job and identity in one fell swoop, Farima’s transition from diplomacy to human rights advocacy showcased remarkable tenacity and deep wells of resilience and strength of character. She is now more committed than ever to using her diplomatic experience and wide network to advocate for human rights and peace-building, albeit, informed and driven by a profound loss of identity and homeland. "I joined the WPLP program with the expectation of gaining valuable insights and skills to inspire and motivate other women. My motivation stemmed from a deep belief in the power of individuals to make a positive difference in the world. My biggest takeaway from this experience is the understanding that leadership in peace processes is not just about resolving conflicts, but also about creating a culture of understanding, compassion, and co-operation," she concludes.
Feminism as Lifelong Commitment
Meanwhile, Galyna Kotliuk's feminist convictions crystallised against the backdrop of resistance to Russia's war against Ukraine. “There wasn’t a one single moment in my life that made me realise I had to be engaged in the feminist movement," Galyna says. “It was rather the sum of many moments and my life choices."
Growing up in a Ukraine that just gained its independence, Galyna's worldview was grounded in the struggle for democracy and human rights. From a young age, she harboured a keen awareness of the injustices that seeped into her everyday life, fuelling her drive towards feminism and activism.
“During my teenage years, I began to openly identify myself as a feminist. Over the years, my interest in the feminist movement and activism has only grown. I often joke that I've turned my personal and political convictions into a full-time career.”
In the world of peacebuilding and activism, Galyna found her battles were not just against external adversaries, but also against the stereotypes that sought to confine her and her peers to roles that stifled their potential. "Women are not defined by stereotypes, but by their capabilities and ambitions," Galyna stresses.
The influence of mentors and the solidarity found in networks like the Women's Peace Leadership Programme became her bedrock, providing not just support but a shared vision for a future where peace was not a lofty ideal but a tangible reality. “The peer mentorship aspect of the programme has been incredibly valuable, allowing me to forge connections with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and countries,” she reflects. “My motivation to join the programme was to learn more about peacebuilding processes and mechanisms of their implementation to be able to facilitate effective peacebuilding initiatives in Ukraine and ensure that Ukraine's recovery is sustainable, just and gender-sensitive. My expectations were to gain valuable knowledge and expertise in this area, connect with other peace leaders and get more empowered. I think all of them were fulfilled,” Galyna says.
Galyna offers a final message of hope and relentless pursuit of change to young women leaders, "One should never be afraid to act and stand up, taking the space, and interfering when one is certain in their beliefs. Forge your path with determination, courage, and a commitment to building a world where peace and democratic values thrive. Believe in your potential to make a difference and never hesitate to advocate for what you believe in."
Anna Popsui, Farima Nawabi and Galyna Kotliuk are three of the 16 mentees from around the OSCE region and Afghanistan, participating in the OSCE Women’s Peace Leadership Programme 2023-2024, an initiative of the OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid. The Programme aims to strengthen the ability of women to meaningfully engage and influence peace processes at all levels. It is a part of the OSCE’s flagship project WIN for Women and Men, which covers the Networking platform for Women Leaders including Peacebuilders and Mediators. The WIN project works with OSCE-supported networks and gives rise to new networks, fostering women’s participation and leadership, as well as broader men’s engagement in achieving gender equality.