Who we are.

Women in Media is a network of Ukrainian women journalists in the media operating on the peer-to-peer principle. We empower each other and fight against sexism in newsrooms and in content. Our goals are gender-sensitive journalism and more women in media in decision-making positions.

We unite women working in media to overcome challenges, on two levels: equality within newsrooms (equal opportunities and treatment, equal access to positions, equal pay) and equality in media content, with a special emphasis on fighting against sexism, as well as providing leadership and necessary resources to protect the rights and opportunities of women in all areas of life.

The initiative Women in Media was initiated in April 2019 by Liza Kuzmenko and Viktoriia Yermolaieva, who worked together at Hromadske Radio. It started with a small Facebook group, which currently unites a strong network of over 1,700 women journalists, editors, producers and other women in media from all regions of Ukraine. Women in Media NGO was officially registered in September 2019.

Among other things, our activities focus on offering organizational, psychological, expert, and financial support to women media professionals, often through a peer-to-peer format. We conduct analytical research, organize advocacy meetings and events, honor journalists for their contributions to overcoming gender inequality, and provide training.

In 2024, the Women in Media NGO was shortlisted for the International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) Free Media Pioneer Award. “Amid growing threats to independent journalism, these organizations are a reminder of the power and resilience of the free press,” says the statement of award organizers.

Our team.

Liza Kuzmenko

Head of NGO

Media expert and trainer in gender equality and non-discrimination, member of the Commission on Journalistic Ethics (2020-2026), national consultant for media and gender projects of the Council of Europe in Ukraine and International Media Support (IMS).

Victoriya Yermolayeva

Journalist, Deputy of Head

Journalist, Editor‑in‑Chief of Hromadske (Public) Radio. She is a mentor in gender-sensitive journalism. Before 2014, she was a correspondent in Crimea.

Oleksandra Horchynska

Journalist, Project coordinator

Journalist for the NV website, specializing in social issues. She writes about vulnerable population groups, gender equality, combating domestic violence, fighting discrimination, health, and medicine. She is the author of the online course "Sensitive Journalism" with the support of the Media Development Foundation and serves as a mentor and lecturer.

Alla Zhuk

Financial manager

Since 2015, she has been working as a chief accountant at Hromadske Radio, and since 2019, as a financial manager at the NGO "Women in Media".

Olena Kushchenko

Journalist

Freelance journalist. Writes articles on gender equality, gender-based violence, and women's leadership, as well as topics related to the war. Started her career as a correspondent at a regional print newspaper and went on to become a contributor to national media outlets.

Valentyna Aleksandrova

Project Coordinator

She worked as an Adviser at the Secretariat of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, served on the Coordination Council of the Platform for Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion in Ukraine’s Recovery, and was an Adviser to the Deputy Chair of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting (2015–2020).

Inesa Biliuk

Graphic designer

A freelance designer with 5 years of experience in graphic design. Specializes in brand identity, communication design, and layout of analytical publications.

Natalia Slipenko

Translator

Translator and conference interpreter. She has been working in the field of women’s rights for over 10 years. She provides interpretation and translation services for numerous Ukrainian and international organizations on topics including war crimes, feminism, LGBTQ+ issues, European integration, and the arts.

Oksana Biliavska

Translator

She works with Ukrainian and English-language texts for the civil society sector and media. Oksana collaborates with Transparency International Ukraine and translates materials on anti-corruption, human rights, gender equality, and socially significant reforms.

Dara Franko

Communications Manager

A communications and PR professional with over eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She specializes in media relations and social media communications. Throughout her career, she has worked with Lviv Media Forum, Commission on Journalism Ethics, Cultural Platform Zakarpattia, and a range of other civic and cultural initiatives.

Tetiana Avdieieva

Legal Advisor

Tetiana is a legal advisor to the Women in Media NGO and a media lawyer at the NGO “Digital Security Lab.”

Аnnual reports

We publish annual reports to ensure transparency

You can read the 2024 annual report in English here https://wim.org.ua/en/materials/annual-2024-report-wim/
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