Women in Media NGO initiated the creation of the Coalition “Gender Equality in Ukrainian Media,” bringing together public organizations, independent media, and state bodies for cross-sectoral cooperation.
The purpose of this coalition is to foster dialogue and coordination in promoting gender equality and inclusivity in Ukrainian media and strengthen gender mainstreaming as a principle of good governance.
Emphasizing the media’s vast potential to drive social change, particularly in the process of Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Recognizing the importance of uniting the efforts of the media, the state, and public organizations to promote gender equality in media and combat sexism, both in the organization of editorial workflows and in content creation.
Acknowledging that the media is not merely a mirror of society but a catalyst for change, capable of transforming societal and consumer consciousness by promoting gender-sensitive, non-stereotypical, and inclusive content.
Agreeing that promoting gender equality is not only an ethical value but also a strategic necessity, as it serves as a key driver of economic and social stability, post-war reconstruction, and fulfills Ukraine’s European integration commitments.
Highlighting the importance of non-stereotypical reporting on gender-based violence, particularly conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and ensuring proper attention in coverage to vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, other low-mobility groups in or near combat areas, and internally displaced persons, 60% of whom are women.
Initiators of the Coalition:
Public media and human rights organizations: Women in Media NGO, Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association “JurFem,” ZMINA Human Rights Centre, Regional Press Development Institute (Povaha. Campaign against expressions of sexism in Ukrainian media and politics), and Center for Democratic Reforms and Media.
Media: Hromadske Radio, Rubryka, Skhidnyi Variant, Detector Media, Nakypilo Media Group, Divoche Media, Ukrinform, Suspilne, and “Ukrainska Pravda”.
National authorities: Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
Signatories from initiators:
- Liza Kuzmenko, Head of the Women in Media NGO and a member of the Commission on Journalistic Ethics;
- Olena Leptuha, President of Kharkiv Crisis Center NGO, Editor-in-Chief at Nakypilo Media Group;
- Anastasia Rudenko, CEO at Rubryka, Solutions from Ukraine, Publisher at Skhidnyi Variant online media outlet, Coordinator at Recovery Window media network;
- Tetiana Troshchynska, Hromadske Radio;
- Anastasiia Hudyma, Director of the Department for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunities at SUSPILNE Ukrainian Public Broadcasting Company, and Mykola Chernotytskyi, CEO at SUSPILNE Ukrainian Public Broadcasting Company;
- Tetiana Pechonchyk, Head of ZMINA Human Rights Centre;
- Oksana Pavlenko, Editor-in-Chief at Divoche Media;
- Oleksii Matsuka, Director General at Ukrinform;
- Liudmyla Vasylenko, Director at Center for Democratic Reforms and Media NGO;
- Natalia Lyhachova, Editor-in-Chief at Detector Media online outlet;
- Liudmyla Pankratova, CEO at Regional Press Development Institute NGO;
- Khrystyna Kit, Chairwoman of Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association “JurFem”;
- Andrii Bystrov, Program Director at Ukrainska Pravda (pravda.com.ua).
Why is the work of the Coalition important?
Russia is waging not only a conventional war against Ukraine and its democratic values but also an information war to spread lies and sow doubt. It uses fake news, post-truth tactics, an army of bots, PSYOP, and gender disinformation. The enemy’s goal is to create a negative perception of gender equality and the role of women in democratic societies. These narratives are a part of the Russian propaganda machine, contributing to the grand narrative about Ukraine.
Promoting gender equality during the war is not only an ethical value but also a strategic necessity, as it serves as a key driver of economic and social stability and is part of Ukraine’s European integration commitments. In addition, the war has highlighted the issue of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and the rise in domestic violence, and has made vulnerable groups even more vulnerable: people with disabilities, the elderly, and other low-mobility groups living near or in combat areas, as well as internally displaced persons, 60% of whom are women. The role of media in covering these processes is crucial.
That is why this is the best time to unite the efforts of the media, the state, and public organizations to counteract gender disinformation and promote gender equality in the media, both in terms of organizing editorial workflows and in content.
What the Coalition does:
- Organizes joint events to overcome sexism in the media and promote gender equality and non-discrimination;
- Develops analytical documents and recommendations for improving media practices, taking into account industry self-regulation principles.
Other media and public media organizations can join the Coalition by filling out the Google Forms
This activity was made possible by the New Democracy Fund (NDF) and International Media Support (IMS) as part of the project “Breaking Barriers Together: Uniting CSOs, Media, and Authorities for Gender Equality in Ukraine’s Media Landscape” Any views expressed here belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of NDF or IMS.