Our grant coordinator Svitlana Ostryanina and evaluation manager Hanna Havryliuk visited partner organisations of the “Capable and Resistant” program in Odesa on a monitoring visit.

This was an opportunity to participate in the Forum on Countering Gender-Based Violence, ‘United Against Violence: Protecting Rights and Dignity in Conflict,’ organised by the NGO ‘Association of Women of Ukraine ’DIA.”

“We live in a world where the strong can hurt the weak just because they can, even without any good reason. Just because they can. It’s hard to fight this. In my opinion, there’s only one way out — the weak need to get stronger and fight back. But where can they get the strength to fight back? Who else but Ukrainians would know this? Strength lies in unity. So I urge women to unite, support each other, and help each other,” says Svitlana Ostryanina, continuing:

‘The team behind the “Capable and Resistant” program is made up entirely of women. And I enjoy the support and synergy that has developed through our interaction. It makes me stronger professionally and happier as a person.
I am convinced that the Forum has become an event where women have been energised by communication, heard important information, been inspired by the speakers – in short, become stronger. And perhaps violence in the world will decrease.

I will try to rephrase the title of our program, “Capable and Resistant”, into the Forum’s slogan: ‘Capable of resisting violence because we are strong in unity.’

“Capable and Resistant” program, implemented by Eastern Europe Foundation with financial support from Switzerland, has been supporting civil society organisations that strengthen women’s rights and combat gender-based violence since 2022.