A Report from the Ukrainian ISHR-Section (Information and Analysis Center/IAC-ISHR Ukraine) on the project “Supporting Women Media Actors.”
At the heart of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR)’s mission lies a belief that change begins with empowered individuals. The Media Actors Training Project—led by the Information and Analytical Center ISHR (IAC ISHR) and supported by the German Federal Foreign Office—has become a beacon of hope and resilience for internally displaced women (IDPs), proving that human rights education and digital storytelling can transform lives, spark activism, and rebuild communities.
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Open in new tab A Vision That Speaks to Dignity
Launched in July 2024, the project was designed to support women IDPs who are passionate about promoting human rights through social media. With only one spot available for every 14 applicants, the selection was competitive, and the commitment, inspiring. Through a unique blend of theory and practical media skills, participants were not only introduced to human rights principles—they learned to apply them, embody them, and advocate for them online.
The training encompassed key topics such as:
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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The Right to Education, Work, and Participation in Cultural Life
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Intellectual Property and Social Media Law
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Content Creation for Instagram and TikTok
- Strategy and Personal Branding in Advocacy
The Courage to Rebuild: Stories that Inspire
Behind every participant was a story of courage, adaptation, and a fierce will to thrive.
For Maria Borovyk, the trauma of war and displacement turned into a platform for awareness. A passionate knitter and single mother, she reframed her craft as a symbol of equal opportunity, challenging gender stereotypes. Inspired by British Olympian Tom Daley, she used her posts to promote the right of all people, regardless of gender or background, to freely express themselves through creative hobbies.
Olga Kazakova, once a business owner forced to flee, found in the program not just a classroom, but a sanctuary for growth. “By learning, I’m exercising my right to education,” she shared. “By creating and selling upcycled fashion, I uphold the right to work and environmental responsibility.” Her reflections embodied the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and extended it. “Every person has the right, and I would even say, must be happy.”
Olena Vlasynovych, a yoga and meditation instructor, brought the conversation to health and well-being. “A right doesn’t fulfill itself,” she said. “Purposeful awareness and responsibility must accompany it.” Her mission became not only to teach mindfulness, but to advocate for the right to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health.
And then there’s Svitlana Selivanova, who battled air raids and power outages just to attend classes. Today, she’s on internship in Germany, honing her editing and advocacy skills to tell Ukraine’s story to the world.
Each of these women didn’t just complete a course, they found their voices, their confidence, and their power.
From Knowledge to Community
What began as a training has blossomed into a vibrant support network. Participants stay connected, collaborating on content, meeting informally, and continuing the mission long after the final workshop. One participant captured it perfectly:
“This was not the end, it marked the beginning of something important and real.”
The group is now an engine for civic engagement, proving that solidarity, not separation, is the future of human rights defense.
Advocacy, Amplified
In a time when social media often amplifies division and misinformation, this project stands as a bold counter-narrative: Digital platforms can be used to protect dignity, promote equity, and inspire action. By empowering displaced women to lead online, the Media Actors Training Project demonstrates how the right to speak, be heard, and be seen can be reclaimed, even after displacement and loss.
Through their voices, creativity, and determination, these women are not only defending their own rights, they’re becoming torchbearers for others.
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