Ukrainian women who were forced to flee their homes because of the war have become a symbol of endurance and strength. Their stories are about escaping danger and fighting for a better future for themselves and their families. Faced with new challenges in a foreign land, they not only adapt to the new conditions, but also actively develop, looking for new opportunities for fulfilment. Photo projects, such as the exhibition in the Czech Parliament dedicated to Ukrainian refugee women, are important platforms to draw attention to their life stories, challenges and achievements, and to help create an intercultural dialogue.
An exhibition dedicated to Ukrainian refugee women was held in the Czech parliament building, presenting their stories through photographs. This was reported by Radio Prague. These women, from different parts of Ukraine, are united by a common misfortune – fleeing from war and seeking safe haven for themselves and their families. The exhibition, organised in Prague, was intended not only to show the difficulties faced by Ukrainian women, but also to celebrate their endurance, strength and desire to adapt to a new environment.
The initiator of this photo project was Yulia Dobrynina, an employee of the Diaconia Integration Centre in Prague. At first, she collected stories of refugee women on a specially created website, and later, with the support of sponsors and benefactors, she was able to print the photo portraits for the exhibition. According to Yulia, Czech organisations and volunteers helped not only with printing, but also with networking, which helped to organise the exhibition in the parliament.
The project includes 21 photographs and 21 stories of Ukrainian women who were forced to leave their home country because of the war. Yulia is currently working on new photographic portraits of Ukrainian women who have found refuge in Germany, which allows her to compare the experiences of refugees in different countries.
The project, entitled ‘From Life to Life’, tells the stories of Ukrainian women who came to the Czech Republic facing various challenges of adaptation. Some of them quickly adapted to the new environment, while others still dream of returning to Ukraine. Nevertheless, they are all trying to find their own way in a new country, overcoming difficulties on their own.
One of the project participants was Lileia Klyatsevych, who shared her experience with the visitors of the exhibition. Lileia said that in Ukraine, she worked as a PR and marketing manager, but in the Czech Republic, she was unable to continue her career in her field. Instead, she found a job in a large IT company where she works as a test analyst and manages a team.
The project ‘From Life to Life’ was also combined with the initiative ‘Lepší práce v Česku’, which aims to support Ukrainian women who have a high level of education but cannot find a job in their speciality. Lola Onipko, a project representative, stressed the importance of joining forces to create opportunities for such women, showing the example of the project participants that they should not give up and keep moving towards their goals.
The aim of the project is not to compare the participants, but to show the diversity of their life paths and aspirations. All women, regardless of the speed of adaptation, have a common goal – to realise themselves in new conditions. At such exhibitions, women not only support each other but also inspire others to achieve their goals by showing examples of resilience and fortitude.
