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The feminist movement in Eastern Europe: struggles in a changing landscape

Women’s rights movements in the region have faced challenges ranging from war to the rise of anti-gender activism

The feminist movement in Eastern Europe: struggles in a changing landscape
Nina Hälker (left), Gohar Shahnazaryan, Gosia Leszko, Salome Chagelishvili, Olesia Bondar (right) at a FemTalks forum hosted by the Women’s Fund Armenia in Yerevan on 26 October 2022 | Women’s Fund Armenia
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The feminist movement in Eastern Europe has radically changed in the past three years, with women’s rights activists having to adapt to war, conflict and the rise of the anti-gender movement.

In response, local women’s funds in Ukraine, Armenia, Poland, Georgia and Germany have been working together to assess the needs of women and girls through Feminist Landscapes – Civil Society Dialogue with All Voices, a project coordinated by filia, a German-based feminist grantmaking group that aims to empower marginalised women’s rights groups. Here’s what they found.

Ukraine: adapting to war

Since 24 February 2022, Russia’s full-scale invasion has transformed the women’s rights movement in Ukraine. Activists have had to switch from focusing on feminist issues to spearheading the collection and distribution of humanitarian aid, evacuating people and creating shelters, recording crimes, and organising medical and psychological support for victims of military aggression.