This podcast series tells the stories of women who are changing society and shaping a just future.

Imagine a student, inspired by a scholarship from the Roma Education Fund, who gradually becomes a leader transforming her community. This is the story of Anzhelika Bielova — President of the NGO Voice of Romni. She shares her journey in the latest episode of the “On Her Shoulders” podcast by DIVOCHE.MEDIA.


In this episode, Anzhelika openly shares her journey — from the early challenges of community activism to founding Voice of Romni. She speaks about the obstacles she faced, the resistance, and the patriarchal barriers along the way. She also reflects on how the war became a turning point — a moment when change was no longer just desirable but essential. Russia’s full-scale invasion revealed how crucial it is to act now, to transform the community, and to support one another.

Today, the Voice of Romni team works across several key areas: advocacy, humanitarian support for local communities, women’s economic empowerment, and children’s education. A cross-cutting focus is the fight against gender-based violence. We don’t just provide assistance — we challenge outdated norms and break stereotypes: building trust in civil society organizations within Roma communities, fostering intercultural dialogue, inspiring new generations to take responsibility, and making women’s voices heard.

In the “On Her Shoulders” podcast, Anzhelika spoke about the importance of including Roma women’s organizations in the national context:

“Feminist movements are about equal rights and opportunities for all women and men. It is especially important that these movements include groups that face multiple, systemic forms of discrimination. If we compare the situation of a Ukrainian woman with that of a Ukrainian woman of Roma origin in terms of employment, for example, the latter faces significantly more barriers due to discrimination and stigmatization on multiple grounds.”

The conversation also touched on how the war has transformed our organization’s work — how Roma women are developing professional skills and accessing new opportunities through educational programs and retraining courses we provide.

Anzhelika also spoke about international advocacy — in particular, her participation in the 68th and 69th sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, where she represented Ukraine as a democratic, multicultural country and called on the international community to support Ukrainian women and women’s organizations.

“We, women activists, hold unique knowledge and on-the-ground expertise. We know the needs of our communities. And who, if not us, should be involved in shaping the solutions for Ukraine’s recovery?!” — Anzhelika emphasized.

The “On Her Shoulders” podcast highlights real stories of women’s strength, solidarity, and leadership. It is a great honor for us that the voices of Roma women are part of this important project.