First Lady Olena Zelenska speaks at Georgetown University

First Lady Olena Zelenska spoke to Georgetown students about Ukrainian efforts to maintain education and advance gender equality in the face of invasion. (Wikimedia Commons)

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska addressed a gathering of students in Georgetown University’s Gaston Hall on September 21, 2023. Her speech focused on how Ukraine has endured a year of the Russian invasion, highlighting the consequences of the conflict.

During the war, Russian forces have bombed hospitals in Ukraine, depriving Ukrainians of healthcare services. Throughout these challenging times, Zelenska has worked to safeguard education, mental health, and the well-being of Ukrainian children. She initiated plans to establish and support foster families as an alternative to orphanages. 

Zelenska's efforts in these areas earned her the Hillary Clinton Award, presented to her in Gaston Hall by GIWPS Executive Director Melanne Verve. “Last year our Institute for Women, Peace, and Security honored Mrs. Zelenska with the Hilary Clinton award for … speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves; for giving voice to their pain, suffering, and loss; and for leading massive efforts for humanitarian assistance,” said Verve.

Zelenska spoke on the implications of the war with Russia on gender equality in Ukraine. Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, Ukraine remains committed to creating a more equitable environment for women. This includes ongoing efforts to reduce the gender pay gap, which decreased from 26% to 18% between 2018 and 2021, with the aim of closing it completely by 2030 through ​​The Strategy and the Action Plan which was developed alongside the International Labor Organization and UN Women. 

Acknowledging the needs of women who own small businesses, Zelenska emphasized the importance of gender equality for expanding job opportunities. “We need to support women here. This is the job of the government and I am sure that the state will cope with this job,” she said.

In addition to the fight for gender equality, Russia's invasion has significantly impacted the availability of education in Ukraine. Over the past two years, Russian bombing has damaged  multiple universities. Zelenska cited reports indicating that only a third of Ukranian students attend school, and many university students have lost their lives on the front lines. 

The war is causing lasting setbacks on education in Ukraine, and Zelenska stressed the importance of preventing such devastation. “Over the past two years, Russian shelling in Ukraine damaged 81 universities. And that's just buildings; they can be rebuilt. What's worse is that people are dying,” she said.

To address this, Ukraine is striving to preserve its educational institutions. Zelenska declared, "When we are asked which Ukraine is fighting for, what it is defending, it is exactly this: to make sure that the books would not be burning like they were in the famous book by Ray Bradbury, so that people wouldn't have to read in bomb shelters, and that students can study peacefully in their own country instead of facing danger."

The Ukrainian government aims to enhance bomb shelters in schools to ensure the safety of students. Zelenska also described the BookShelf Project, which has pledged works of Ukrainian literature to over a hundred locations in more than 30 countries to rescue books from the conflict.

Zelenska emphasized the interconnectedness of the world and encouraged Georgetown students to recognize their ability to contribute to positive change. She said, "I'm looking at you, and I can see our students; I don't think that you are that different, and you have one particular trait in common—that's caring, empathy, and a desire to change things for the better."