3 March: BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Ukrainian Women Redefining Resistance

A dialogue on changing roles, agency, and responsibility in the face of the Russian war of aggression.

When: 3 March 2026 18:00-19:30 CET
Where: Dialogbüro Vienna, Eßlinggasse 9/6, 1010 Vienna, Austria (only offline)
Language: English & Ukrainian
Admission: free, please, register via the link

Ella Lamakh

Head, Democracy Development Center (NGO), National Consultant, UN Women on Gender Equality Legal Framework for the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine.Democracy and gender equality expert. Co-founder of the “Stop Violence” Network and the National Gender Strategic Platform.

Anastasiia Shevchenko

Ukrainian activist, war veteran, singer, and artist. Born in 1993 in Kyiv, Anastasiia Shevchenko combines social activism, music, and performance as forms of resistance. She served as a combat medic and instructor after the outbreak of Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2014 and rejoined a volunteer medical crew in 2022 following the full-scale invasion.

Henrike Brandstötter

Member of the Austrian National Council (MP). NEOS spokesperson for Women, LGBTIQ+, Media, and Development Cooperation. Chair of the bilateral parliamentary group Austria–Ukraine.

Dr. Carol Mann

Sociologist specialized in Gender and Armed Conflict, Université de Paris 8, founder and president of Femaid.

Miriam Mona Mukalazi

Policy Officer, Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC). Political scientist specializing in security policy. Former researcher at the European University Institute (Florence), Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.), and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (Addis Ababa). Formerly worked at UN Women Germany and as a consultant for the World Bank, the European Commission, and political foundations.

Oksana Stavrou

Moderator and co-organiser of the discussion. Lawyer and political scientist. Author of the book “Russlands Krieg gegen die Ukraine”. Expert and moderator focusing on Ukraine, democracy, and international politics.

As we mark the fifth year of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the narrative often focuses on maps and military statistics. But behind the frontlines, a profound societal transformation is taking place, driven by the strength and agency of Ukrainian women.

They are not just survivors; they are the backbone of a nation under fire. From coordinating massive humanitarian networks and leading local communities to redefining the very concept of resistance, Ukrainian women have stepped into roles that have fundamentally changed their realities — and the future of their country.

Join us for an insightful evening of dialogue as we look beyond the headlines.

We will explore:

The Power of Agency: From civil society leadership to military service — how women are defending Ukraine’s existence.
Changing Realities: The challenges of navigating life, leadership, and family in a state of permanent crisis.
A Shared Responsibility: What Ukraine’s struggle for dignity and survival means for Europe and our shared understanding of peace and solidarity.

This event invites everyone to engage in an honest conversation about what resistance means today and how we—as part of the Austrian society and the wider European community — can respond to the ongoing war of aggression.

We need your perspective and participation in the discussion. Do join us!

3 March: BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Ukrainian Women Redefining Resistance

Register