On Friday, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) co-hosted an event, “The Power of Sisterhood,” at Ukraine House in Washington DC, with the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA, Ukraine House, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA), and the Ukrainian Women’s Fund. The event honored the leadership of Ukrainian women in diplomacy and commemorated the 100th anniversary of UNWLA—one of the oldest Ukrainian organizations in the US dedicated to preserving Ukrainian culture.
During the event, we released our 10-Point Compact for Ukraine’s Just and Sustainable Peace, which was developed by the Women Leaders Coalition for the Future of Ukraine Summit. The compact was composed during a recent GIWPS convening of Ukrainian civil society leaders in Warsaw, where the discussions focused on the role of Ukrainian women’s leadership in peace negotiations and post-war recovery.
“Ukrainian women’s leadership will be essential for a just end of the war and for a sustainable peace,” said our Executive Director Ambassador Melanne Verveer in her powerful remarks. Ambassador Verveer underscored the historical dimensions of the women’s movement in the US, Ukraine, and globally—as well as their close collaboration. She provided a retrospective on the commitment of the US in support of women’s leadership in democracy building in Ukraine and reminded the audience of Ukrainian women’s leadership during the revolution of dignity and in responding to the current full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Dr. Alla Shvets, a renowned researcher of the Ukrainian women’s movement, provided keynote remarks. During her discussion with Irena Chalupa, President of the Washington DC Branch of UNWLA, Dr. Shvets shared compelling stories of Ukrainian women who played pivotal roles in the foundation of Ukrainian sovereignty.
“Ukrainian women know how to use their political rights for the good of their nation,” she said.
The event opened with virtual remarks from Tetiana Sybiha, Head of the Public Diplomacy Department at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine and co-founder of the Association of Diplomatic Spouses of Ukraine. She provided insights into the ongoing efforts of the Academy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring attention to the vital yet often under-recognized contributions of Ukrainian women in the field of diplomacy.
Ambassador Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington, also noted that “the victory of Ukraine will have a female face.” On behalf of the audience, Ambassador Verveer saluted Markarova as “the most effective, articulate, and hardworking ambassador Ukraine has sent to Washington since its independence.”
Several current and former ambassadors attended the event, including Ambassador John Tefft, who served as US ambassador to Ukraine from 2009-2013.
It was an honor to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Ukrainian women and support their ongoing struggle for peace, security, and a better future.
