news – RIWE

“PolitA” Supports Report on the Situation of Ukrainian Refugees in Bulgaria

The Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA” supports the analytical report on the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria.

Further details are available here.

“Culture vs War” International Film Marathon

The international film marathon “Culture vs War”, organised by the Ukrainian association “Dyvys Ukrainske!”, is taking place across 21 countries and 64 cities, featuring 91 cultural events dedicated to the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The initiative brings Ukrainian cinema to international audiences not only as artistic expression but also as a voice of cultural identity, memory, and resistance. The programme includes films such as Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (dir. Sergei Parajanov), You Are the Cosmos (dir. Pavlo Ostrikov), Culture vs War (dir. Kostiantyn Tarasov), Yasa (dir. Serhii Masloboishchykov), Family Album (dir. Maryna Tkachuk) and Palianytsia (dir. Yulia Bolshynska). Screenings are coordinated worldwide by Ukrainian cultural organisations, including the Refugees International Women Empowerment Foundation in Bulgaria, contributing to global cultural diplomacy and solidarity with Ukraine.

Further information available here.

R.I.W.E. participates in the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women

On the margins of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), we (R.I.W.E. (Refugees International Women Empowerment) Foundation) convened a multi-stakeholder discussion on: “Addressing Vulnerability of Ukrainian Refugee Women and Girls to Trafficking and All Forms of Violence through Building Trust-Based Protection Models.”

The discussion brought together representatives of international organisations, national authorities, and refugee-led initiatives, including the OSCE, the Bulgarian National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (NCCTHB), and the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.

Our conversation was grounded in evidence. We presented findings from R.I.W.E.’s recent #research on the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria, highlighting a critical structural issue: Only 3.5% of Ukrainian women surveyed would turn to official institutions for help.

This is not a gap in services. It is a gap in trust.

The discussion allowed us to exchange insights with colleagues, validate emerging trends, and refine our understanding of the evolving risks related to trafficking and gender-based violence.

Special thanks to Tatiana Kotlyarenko for moderating the discussion, and to all co-panelists: Tetiana Rudenko, Ernesta Rousseva, Veronica Zeitlin, Oleksandr Tyshenko (Alex Luna), Violetta Dvornikova, Yuliya Dorokhova, Ella Lamakh , Julia Sachenko , Doreen Beatrice and Iryna Kopanytsia for their informative and thought-provoking contributions.

As a follow-up, we are exploring the establishment of a small operational working group to:

— facilitate rapid exchange of information and expertise

— strengthen coordination across stakeholders

— continue regular evidence-based discussions with engaged partners

This is not about dialogue for the sake of dialogue. It is about rethinking and redesigning protection systems so they actually work.

Further information available here.

Materials available here.

Borjana Pervan

Borjana Pervan serves as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO of the World Heart Federation (WHF), where she oversees advocacy, communications, global health and science, and strategy. In this role, she leads efforts to unite more than 240 cardiovascular organizations worldwide around the shared vision of achieving heart health for everyone. Her work focuses on translating scientific evidence into policy action, strengthening health systems, and mobilizing partnerships that accelerate global progress against cardiovascular disease.

Borjana brings nearly twenty years of international leadership experience across global health, sustainability, and international development. At WHF, she has helped drive major initiatives, including World Heart Vision 2030 and global awareness campaigns that have reached more than two billion people, mobilizing partnerships, funding, and policy commitments for cardiovascular health.

Prior to joining WHF, Borjana held senior leadership roles at the International Cocoa Initiative, advancing child protection and responsible supply chains, and at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), where she led global communications teams and strategies supporting environmental protection and sustainable development.

She began her career as a journalist in Bulgaria, reporting on current events and political and economic developments, and conducting an investigation into human trafficking. After moving to Geneva in 2002, she worked with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on programs related to compensation for victims of forced and slave labour and later joined the UN’s water, climate, and weather agency.

Through her role on the board of Refugees International Women Empowerment (RIWE), Borjana intends to support efforts to strengthen the voice, leadership, and economic opportunities of refugee women and to advance policies that translate their lived experience into sustainable solutions.

Screening of the iconic Ukrainian film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors”

On 26 February 2026, a screening of the iconic Ukrainian film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors”, directed by Сергій Параджанов, took place in Veliko Tarnovo at Hotel Arte with Bulgarian subtitles. The 1964 film, based on the novella by a Ukrainian writer, is widely considered one of the most significant works of Ukrainian cinema and is included among the 100 greatest Ukrainian films of all time. Its recent restoration preserved not only the technical quality of the film but also the original visual aesthetics, colour palette, and sound atmosphere that define Parajanov’s artistic style.

The screening was held as part of the international festival “Dyvys Ukrainske” and the global film marathon Culture vs War, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The event became an important moment of dialogue between the Ukrainian and Bulgarian communities, bringing together audiences around themes of memory, cultural resilience, and the role of art during wartime.

Special thanks to Silvia Jordan and Lubo Markov for their warm hospitality and to Fedir Aleksandrovych for the meaningful discussion, as well as to Alex Luna, representative of the Advisor to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Bulgaria, for his support and presence.

Such initiatives strengthen connections between our communities.

Tsarevets Fortress Illuminated in Ukrainian Colors as Veliko Tarnovo Shows Solidarity

On 24 February, the historic Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo was illuminated in blue and yellow to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The symbolic initiative served as a gesture of remembrance, solidarity, and continued support for the Ukrainian people.

RegNews.NET – Новини по всяко време

The idea was initiated by Aleksandr Tishenko, Advisor to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Bulgaria, with organisational support from Refugees International Women Empowerment Foundation (R.I.W.E.). The event was made possible with the assistance of Veliko Tarnovo Mayor Daniel Panov and the technical team behind the “Tsarevgrad Tarnov – Sound and Light” audiovisual spectacle.

Illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, one of Bulgaria’s most iconic historical landmarks became a powerful symbol of unity, freedom, and shared European values.

Announcement of Cross-Border Cooperation

We are pleased to announce that R.I.W.E. have successfully established a partnership with CIVIC MOMENTUM Struga (North Macedonia).

This cooperation represents a significant step forward in strengthening regional collaboration between two neighboring countries. By working together, we aim to promote shared values, exchange expertise, and address common challenges through impactful initiatives that benefit our communities on both sides of the border.

The associations have agreed to jointly apply for cross-border grants that are related to the mission and vision of both associations, with a particular focus on Women’s leadership and empowerment, Gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, Cross-border cooperation and regional partnerships, Policy advocacy and community engagement etc.

We look forward to building strong and lasting results through this cross-border collaboration.

Memorandum of Cooperation Signed!

We are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between R.I.W.E. Foundation and the European Association of Ukrainian Women, led by V.V. Dvornikova, at the Ukrainian Voices Refugee Committee in Brussels.

Through this partnership, we unite our efforts to:

Strengthen the rights and opportunities of Ukrainian women and children in forced migration
Develop women’s leadership and economic empowerment
Advocate for rights at the level of European institutions
Implement joint international, cultural, and research initiatives

We believe this is an important step toward building a stronger international platform supporting Ukrainian women — their voice, dignity, and future.

Thank you to Irina Kopanytsia and Inna Leonova for your dedicated support and assistance to Ukrainians across Europe.

Together we are building a space of strength, solidarity, and new opportunities for Ukrainian women in Europe.

R.I.W.E. Supports the Brussels’ Call

R.I.W.E. supports the Brussels’ Call: why legalisation/regulation of prostitution is not the answer.

The Brussels’ Call brings together organisations and policymakers opposing initiatives to legalise or regulate prostitution, stressing that such approaches reinforce systems of exploitation.

In our work and Rule 9.2 communications, we consistently observe the same structural problem: formal rights do not function without practical guarantees — effective victim identification, access to legal aid, proper investigation, and a real path to compensation.

Legalisation does not automatically translate into protection. It:

– expands demand and the commercial market,

– increases incentives for exploitation and trafficking,

– leaves vulnerable women without effective exit options and recovery support.

If the objective is human rights and equality, policy must focus on reducing demand, strengthening protection systems, and ensuring meaningful support — not legitimising the industry.

Analysis and Recommendations on Cross-border Child Return Proceedings

We submitted a Rule 9.2 communication to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe regarding the execution of the ECtHR judgment in Osso v. Bulgaria (2023).

On 11 February 2026, R.I.W.E. – Refugees International Women Empowerment Foundation provided analysis and recommendations on how cross-border child return proceedings affect displaced families, particularly Ukrainian mothers and children living under EU Temporary Protection.

Our submission highlights a key reality: legal standards alone are not enough if courts lack complete information about displacement risks, legal status, and the practical ability of a parent to accompany a child. Language barriers, lack of early legal aid, and short procedural deadlines often create an access-to-justice gap.

We proposed concrete safeguards — including state-funded legal assistance, professional interpretation, stronger fact-verification, and clearer assessment of temporary protection status in Hague Convention proceedings.

We invite human rights actors, legal aid providers, and child-rights advocates across Europe to engage in strengthening fair, well-informed decision-making in cases shaped by war and displacement.

Oleksandra Alkhimovych

Oleksandra Alkhimovych is the co-founder of APT, a Ukrainian agency focused on investment in human capital, and a lecturer at international business schools. She has extensive experience at the intersection of IT, education, and public administration. In the corporate sector, she has held key leadership roles in HR and management, including Managing Director of Luxoft Ukraine and Vice President of Talent Management at Miratech.

Oleksandra has collaborated with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and served as a Strategic Development Expert at the Office for Investment Attraction. She studied at Harvard Business School and holds professional HR certifications, including Assoc CIPD from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (London). She served as Academic Lead of the MA in Human Resources and Organization Development program at UCU Business School and currently teaches at the UCU Leadership Center.

She is recognized among the Top 30 Most Influential Women in Ukraine, mentors social projects encouraging girls in STEM, and serves as an expert for the Ukrainian Veteran Fund under the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

Statement by R.I.W.E.

Позиция на Фондация „Овластяване на жените бежанци в света” (R.I.W.E.)

R.I.W.E. изразява дълбока загриженост във връзка с текущото разследване относно предполагаемото тайно заснемане и разпространение на интимни изображения на жени по време на козметични и лазерни процедури в България. Подобни действия представляват сериозно нарушение на достойнството, личното пространство и телесната неприкосновеност и могат да имат дългосрочни психосоциални последици за засегнатите.

Отбелязваме, че става въпрос за активно наказателно разследване, по което вече са подадени над 100 сигнала. Към момента няма потвърдени данни относно националността на засегнатите лица, но украинските жени представляват значителна част от местната общност в Бургас и активно ползват услуги в сферата на красотата и естетиката. Обсъжданията в местни Telegram общности показват тревожност, объркване и страх сред жени, които може да се колебаят дали да подадат сигнал или да потърсят подкрепа. Общностно-базираното изследване на R.I.W.E. сред разселени украински жени в България показва устойчиво недоверие към местни неправителствени организации и държавни институции, което може да доведе до неподаване на сигнали и забавено взаимодействие с разследващите органи. В този контекст внимателната комуникация, ясната информация и изграждането на доверие са ключови, за да се гарантира, че всички потенциални пострадали ще се чувстват достатъчно сигурни да се обърнат към институциите.

Въз основа на нашите наблюдения върху ситуацията на разселените украински жени в България подчертаваме необходимостта от прилагане на подход, чувствителен към пола и културния контекст, по време на разследването и процесите на подкрепа на пострадалите. Украинските жени, особено преживели война и принудително разселване, могат да носят повишена уязвимост, свързана с травма, социална изолация и зависимост от непознати услуги и среди. Разследвания, които не отчитат тези фактори, рискуват да доведат до допълнителна вреда и занижено докладване.

R.I.W.E. призовава правоохранителните органи и всички компетентни институции да:

– прилагат травма-информирани и чувствителни към пола практики при разследване;

– осигурят ясна информация на украински и други релевантни езици;

– си сътрудничат с граждански организации и бежански инициативи като доверени посредници;

– гарантират защита на достойнството и конфиденциалността на всички засегнати жени, независимо от техния миграционен статут.

Ние сме готови да предоставим експертиза, основана на работа с общности, изграждане на доверие и подход, ориентиран към преживелите насилие, с цел подкрепа на отговорна и етична реакция към тази чувствителна ситуация.

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Statement by R.I.W.E. – Refugees International Women Empowerment Foundation

R.I.W.E. expresses deep concern regarding the ongoing investigation into the alleged secret filming and distribution of intimate images of women during cosmetic and laser procedures in Bulgaria. Such acts constitute a serious violation of dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy, and may have long-term psychosocial consequences for those affected.

We note that this case concerns an active criminal investigation, with more than 100 complaints already filed. While there is currently no confirmed data regarding the nationality of those affected, Ukrainian women constitute a significant part of the local population in Burgas and actively use beauty and aesthetic services. Discussions emerging in local Telegram communities indicate anxiety, confusion, and fear among women who may hesitate to report or seek support. R.I.W.E.’s community-based research among displaced Ukrainian women in Bulgaria highlights a persistent lack of trust toward local NGOs and state institutions, which may contribute to underreporting and delayed engagement with investigative bodies. In this context, careful outreach, clear communication, and trust-building measures are essential to ensure that all potential victims feel safe to come forward.

Based on our field observations among displaced Ukrainian women in Bulgaria, we emphasise the importance of applying gender-sensitive and culturally sensitive approaches throughout the investigation and victim-support process. Ukrainian women, especially those with experiences of war-related displacement, may carry heightened vulnerability linked to trauma, social isolation, and dependency on unfamiliar service environments. Investigative procedures that fail to recognise these factors risk further harm and underreporting.

R.I.W.E. therefore calls on law-enforcement bodies and relevant institutions to:

– ensure trauma-informed, gender-responsive investigative practices;

– provide clear information in Ukrainian and other relevant languages;

– cooperate with civil society and refugee-led organisations as trusted intermediaries;

– safeguard the dignity and confidentiality of all women affected, regardless of migration status.

We stand ready to contribute expertise grounded in community-based research, trust-building practices, and survivor-centred advocacy to support responsible and ethical responses to this sensitive situation.

#Bulgaria #Burgas

Fedir Aleksandrovych

Fedir Aleksandrovych is a visual artist, curator, and scenographer whose work operates at the intersection of contemporary art, civic engagement, and critical reflection on history and power. Working with film-based practices, mixed media, and spatial research, his projects address memory, post-Soviet space, architecture, and political narratives, with a strong focus on art as a tool for public dialogue and social responsibility.

Fedir’s artistic practice is deeply connected to questions of historical trauma, collective memory, and the long-term consequences of political and technological systems. His solo exhibitions include Shadow of Chernobyl at Hirvitalo / Pispala Contemporary Art Center (Finland, 2024), Three Years of February at Linavicius Art Foundation (Vilnius, 2025), Visit to Minotaur at the Institute of Contemporary Art Problems (Kyiv, 2021), and Singing Fields at Live Worms Gallery (San Francisco, 2016). Through exhibitions, installations, and film-based works, he seeks to create spaces for reflection, discussion, and civic awareness.

He is a co-author of the documentary The Russian Woodpecker (2015), which received the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The film’s investigation of Chernobyl, Cold War technologies, and political mythologies remains central to his ongoing engagement with documentary cinema as a form of artistic research and social critique.

Alongside his artistic work, Fedir has extensive experience in curatorial and organizational leadership. As Curator and Director of Tadzio Gallery in Kyiv (2018–2022), he developed exhibition programs, public talks, and interdisciplinary initiatives that connected contemporary art with social issues, activism, and community engagement. He has also worked on scenography and visual installations for public festivals and civic cultural events in Europe.

Fedir holds an MA in Scenography and Film Scenography from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv, where he also completed a PhD assistantship. In his current curatorial role within a civic organization, he focuses on building artistic programmes that support democratic values, critical thinking, and cultural resilience through contemporary art.

Julia Dorokhova

Julia Dorokhova is a Ukrainian human rights defender, lawyer, and public activist with many years of systemic experience in combating human trafficking and protecting the rights of women and vulnerable groups. For more than 20 years, she has been engaged in developing legal mechanisms for the protection of victims of sexual exploitation, violence, and modern forms of slavery.

Julia is a recognized expert in the field of counter-trafficking and the protection of the rights of women with experience in prostitution, as well as migrant and refugee women. Her work focuses on building sustainable models of cross-sectoral cooperation between civil society and state institutions.

A special place in her professional activity is occupied by strategic cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Yulia developed and implemented innovative mechanisms of cooperation between the police and non-governmental organizations in the field of harm reduction and protection of vulnerable communities, conducted training programs for officers of anti-trafficking units, and served as an expert on human rights compliance within the Ministry of Interior and the penitentiary system.

She actively works with migrants and refugees, providing legal assistance to Ukrainian women abroad, including in the United Kingdom, Georgia, and Egypt. In humanitarian crisis contexts, Yulia consistently raises the issue of the lack of access to legal, social, and medical assistance for Ukrainian migrant and refugee women in Egypt, as well as the absence of support programs for Ukrainian refugee women.

In October 2023, Julia Dorokhova spoke as a speaker at an OSCE Conference, where she presented an expert position on the protection of refugee women’s rights and combating trafficking in human beings in the context of armed conflict. She has also repeatedly spoken at platforms of the European Parliament and the European Commission, representing the interests of Ukrainian communities at the international level.

Julia is the director of the charitable organization “All-Ukrainian League ‘Legalife'” — the first self-organization in Ukraine of people with experience in prostitution — and the author of methodological manuals on human rights and cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

Her professional mission is to strengthen legal guarantees, promote humane public policy, and create a safe environment for women and vulnerable communities, regardless of their social status or life circumstances.

Resilience Forum at the European Parliament

R.I.W.E. took part in the Resilience Forum at the European Parliament (17-18 Dec. 2025, Brussels), which focused on assessing the scale and mechanisms of Russian propaganda and disinformation, as well as identifying the key vulnerabilities of European societies.

The discussions addressed the destructive impact of Russian strategic narratives on the public consciousness of EU citizens, the need to develop political and institutional responses to strengthen the European Union’s information and cognitive resilience, and the importance of integrating Ukraine’s experience in countering information operations into broader European strategies.

Sound of Silence – Art, Migration and the Price of Freedom

On January 10, 2026, the interdisciplinary exhibition Sound of Silence – Art, Migration and the Price of Freedom, dedicated to the memory of Ukrainian saxophonist Yaroslav Kmitko, concluded in Varna.

Sound of Silence – Art, Migration and the Price of Freedom

On December 13, 2025, a memorial evening for Ukrainian saxophonist Yaroslav Kmitko and the opening of the interdisciplinary project “Sound of Silence – Art, Migration and the Price of Freedom” took place at Bulgarian National Radio in Varna (BNR – Radio Varna).

The event was initiated by Ukrainian artist and filmmaker Fedir Alexandrovych together with Ivanna Shkolnytska, founder of R.I.W.E. – Refugees International Women Empowerment, with the support of partner organizations. The evening became a space of memory, art, and public dialogue.

R.I.W.E. co-sponsored event AI for Peace: Amplifying the voices of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), that marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism with the theme of UNITE to End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls. The hybrid event took place on December 9th, at United Nations, Palais des Nations, Geneva and online. The event explored how ethical and human-centered AI, technology, and creative innovation can be mobilized to counter CRSV, support WPS agenda and promote peace.

Resilient Europe: Ukraine’s Expertise in Countering Disinformation and Cultural Warfare Strengthens European Democratic Resilience

European and Ukrainian policymakers, security experts, researchers, and civil society leaders convened in Brussels for “Resilient Europe”, a high-level forum co-organized by The Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA” on countering Russian propaganda and disinformation, hosted at the European Parliament.

R.I.W.E. Founder and Executive Director Ivanna Shkolnytska (Khodos) took part and was quoted in the press release which was published in 295 U.S. media outlets with coverage to 105.5 million people.

“In Bulgaria, Russian disinformation is not marginal — it is systemic,” Khodos said. “Bulgaria is a member of both the EU and NATO, yet pro-Russian narratives are deeply embedded in media, political discourse, and public attitudes. Since 2022, more than 200,000 temporary protection statuses have been granted to Ukrainians, while only around 90,000–100,000 actually reside in the country. These figures are deliberately conflated to manufacture the image of ‘excessive refugees’ and to fuel social tension.”

She emphasized that this represents a classic form of disinformation — not through outright lies, but through manipulation of facts taken out of context — amplified via social media, pseudo-news platforms, and politically legitimized actors, undermining trust in democratic institutions and European solidarity.

Tatiana Kotlyarenko

Tatiana Kotlyarenko is an international expert and speaker on violence against women and girls and human trafficking. She currently serves as a member of the G20 IF20 Human Trafficking Working Group. She was the Advisor on Anti-Trafficking Issues at OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights from 2016-2023. She worked on the 2nd edition of the National Referral Mechanisms – Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: A Practical Handbook and Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as providing technical support and capacity building to combat trafficking in human beings to OSCE participating states. In response to the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine, which especially impacts women and children, Tatiana conducted rapid assessment missions and provided recommendations to countries on how to prevent and address trafficking of Ukrainian women and children. In addition, Tatiana works on issues related to sexual violence in conflict. She has been the recipient of the Last Girl Awards in 2022 and is a member of BMW Responsible Leaders.

Alla Myrna

Alla Myrna is an international fundraising, partnerships, and communications expert with 9 years of fundraising experience and 15 years in communications and journalism.

She has coordinated nationwide charitable campaigns in Ukraine and led corporate, individual, and institutional fundraising for Tabletochki Charity Foundation, Caritas Ukraine, and Ukraine Aid International, working with over 500 corporate partners.

Her campaigns have received Effie Award nominations (2019–2021), won 1st place at the SABRE Awards (2021), and were repeatedly recognized by the “Charitable Ukraine” awards (2019–2025).

Alla was an active member of the Caritas Europa Fundraising Working Group, selected through a competitive process among candidates from 50 countries.

As a member of the Advisory Council, she contributes expertise in international fundraising and strategic partnerships to advance the R.I.W.E. Foundation’s mission.

Kopanytsia Nadiia Mykolaivna

All-Ukrainian Association of Management Consultants, Member of the Commission on Professional Ethics.

USP (Ukrainian Union of Psychologists). Field: art therapy.

National Association of Facilitators of Ukraine. Member.

Founder of the School of Engagement Technologies (facilitation tools)

Author of the programme ‘People’s Psychologist’ (mental health leadership)

Main position:

Director of the NGO ‘TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION OF UKRAINE

Psychologist, coach, supervisor.

Management consultant (SMS, ICMCI).

Certified trainer (TAU – Ukrainian Coaching Association)
Certified corporate trainer (ARB PRO – St. Petersburg Training Institute)
Certified organisational coach and supervisor. Ukrainian branch of the European Association of Coaches (ANCE), head and lead trainer Elizabeth Alder (Vienna).
Certified ART therapist. Edinburgh programme (head Margret Zade)
Certified TOP Master facilitator.
Certified Scrum Master.
Certified Pinpoint facilitator.
Certified Visual Thinking trainer.
Certified andragog (adult education). DVV International

Irina Mirochnik

PhD, President of the Flexible Packaging Association of Ukraine and representative of the SAVE FOOD initiative UN in Ukraine, Member of the Supervisory Board of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine, Board Member of the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, included in the list of 100 Business Ambassadors of Ukraine, 100 most influential women of Ukraine and is in the top 100 most successful women of Ukraine.

Further links:

Strategy Council – https://strategy-council.com/en/speakers/220

Global FDI Reports –http://ukraine.globalfdireports.com/interview/irina-mirochnik

Iryna Kopanytsia

Iryna Kopanytsia is a women’s rights advocate, humanitarian leader, and Government Relations and advocacy specialist. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, she has been fully engaged in war-related initiatives, including cyber volunteering, international advocacy, protection of women’s rights, and psychological rehabilitation of displaced persons and war-affected communities.

Until 2023, she served as CEO of White Ribbon Ukraine, part of a global movement active in more than 96 countries. She has been a member of the campaign’s Advisory Board since 2017. She contributed to national advocacy efforts that led to the criminalization of domestic violence in Ukraine and to the development of cooperation with members of the European Parliament and the U.S. Senate. Under her leadership, White Ribbon Ukraine launched the first mobile application in Ukraine for survivors of domestic violence, supported by the U.S. Embassy and the State Democracy Fund.

Iryna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and completed MBA training at ESSEC Business School (Singapore). Since 2013, she has worked in Government Relations and lobbying in Ukraine, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Her experience includes political campaign management and international communications at Bell Pottinger (London). As part of the International Government Affairs Professionals Association (IGAPA), she initiated and participated in international GR and advocacy forums and conferences in Washington, Brussels, Dubai, Istanbul, and Kyiv.

Together with her mother, a psychologist, she runs rehabilitation groups for internally displaced persons and victims of war crimes from Mariupol, Bakhmut, and Enerhodar. Her team prepared a large-scale OSINT report for the U.S. Congress on the abduction of Ukrainian children and initiated international platforms on veteran policy, rehabilitation, and social reintegration.

She is co-owner of the NGO “Ukrainian Coaches Association,” co-founder of HYNTEGRA ODV (Italy), and co-founder of LLC “Wolves Defense” (Ukraine). She also serves on the Advisory Board of Valicor (USA), an AI-based military mental health technology company.

Expertise: women’s rights, anti-violence policy, advocacy and lobbying, international cooperation, humanitarian response, psychological rehabilitation.

Veronica Zeitlin

Veronica Zeitlin is a lawyer and international human rights expert with over 20 years of experience preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence and forced labor, bringing perpetrators to justice, and supporting survivors through trauma-informed approaches.

She currently works as a consultant and formerly served as Chief of Research and Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking. There, she engaged with diverse global stakeholders to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation and led the development of the Department’s flagship reports: Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor and the List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor.

Previously, Ms. Zeitlin was a Senior Advisor on Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP), Gender, and Migration at USAID, where she coordinated sex trafficking and forced labor programs across five global regions, ensuring application of global best practices. She also led the development and implementation of USAID’s first agency-wide C-TIP Policy, strengthening Agency alignment and impact.

She also served as a Political Affairs Analyst at the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, where she conducted human trafficking assessments and contributed over 100 country narratives to the annual Trafficking in Persons Report.

Ms. Zeitlin holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.A. in Anthropology and Spanish Literature from Columbia University.

Doreen Beatrice

Treasurer, R.I.W.E.

Over the past several years, Doreen Beatrice has worked with various non-governmental organizations to promote human rights. Her efforts have focused on combatting gender-based violence, child abuse, and human trafficking.

Doreen’s academic journey began as a young student studying abroad in Japan for two years. During her studies, she completed an internship with the Washington Center at the U.S. Information Agency Far East division. She then graduated with honors from Seton Hall University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with a focus on Asia.

In 2025, Doreen attended the summer program at American University’s College of Law, where she studied International Human Rights Law. She earned certifications in four courses: International Justice for Human Rights Violations, Women & International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, and United Nations Human Rights Systems. Additionally, Doreen holds certifications from organizations such as Human Trafficking of Ohio, Stewards of Children, and Trucker’s Against Trafficking.

Doreen is an active member of several organizations, including Women Graduates – USA and International, Women Wage Peace, and Kentucky Colonels. She serves on the board of the Robert G. Laughlin Trust for The Nature Conservancy Atlantic Rain Forest in Brazil. She is also a donor to Vital Voices, Shared Hope International, and Holly Hill Child and Family Solutions.

Currently, Doreen works as Trustee of The Robert S Brown Trust. She has over thirty years of experience owning and operating businesses. In addition to her professional endeavors, she was a Professional International Ballroom Dance Competitor and continues to work as a Professional Ballroom Dance Coach. shape policies that affect their lives.

Ivanna Shkolnytska

Founder and Executive Director, R.I.W.E.

Ivanna Shkolnytska is a Ukrainian human-rights expert specialising in refugee rights, gender equality, mental health, and the prevention of trafficking in human beings (THB).

After her displacement to Bulgaria in 2023 with her three children, she became deeply involved in advancing the rights and protection of Ukrainian refugees across the country, working at the intersection of civil society, government, and international institutions.

With more than 15 years of experience, her professional background includes senior roles within the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, where she collaborated extensively with UN Women Ukraine, the Council of Europe, OSCE, EUAM, UNODC, La Strada and other international partners on gender policy, access to justice, and violence-prevention reforms.

Ivanna is the Founder and Executive Director of R.I.W.E. – Refugees International Women Empowerment, a refugee-women-led organisation based in Varna, Bulgaria. R.I.W.E. provides legal assistance, GBV prevention and response, harm-reduction support, peer-to-peer community engagement, and advocacy for meaningful refugee participation in decision-making processes at national and EU levels.

In 2025, Ivanna served as an Ambassador of the New Women Connectors (NWC), leading a cross-border initiative on THB and GBV prevention, and strengthening refugee-led advocacy within European platforms. She is also an advisor to the Representative of the Ukrainian Ombudsman (Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights) on the rights and protection of Ukrainian refugees abroad, contributing expertise on legal safeguards, exploitation risks, and community-based protection models.

Ivanna is trained in refugee leadership and international protection frameworks through the Geneva Advocacy Training for Refugee Leaders (ExCom-specific) and has completed specialised professional programs on GBV, THB, and victim-centred approaches, including Sida ITP GBV, Kvinna till Kvinna, the Swedish Police Authority, OSCE, and others. Her current work focuses on building evidence-based advocacy, strengthening cooperation in Europe on anti-trafficking and GBV measures, and ensuring that the voices and experiences of refugee women shape policies that affect their lives.