It is time to look back and reflect on the path we have taken.

Participants of the Voice of Romni leadership course from Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts took part in the final facilitation session, “The Resilience of Roma Women Leaders: Balancing Resources, Boundaries, and Strategies for Sustainable Participation.”

During this meeting, we summarized an important stage of the project, which was implemented with the support of our partners at CARE.Ukraine. For more than a year, Roma women have been learning, strengthening their leadership skills, implementing their own initiatives through sub-grants, and bringing change to their communities. Now it was time to analyze what had been achieved, reflect on the challenges that arose along the way, and see just how much has already been accomplished.

During the session, the participants discussed topics that resonate with every woman leader: how not to take on excessive responsibility and how to learn to delegate; how to build personal boundaries and protect one’s inner resources; how to recognize the signs of burnout in time and restore energy through resource-based practices; and how to move from recovery to action without losing balance.

Iryna Kobzieva, Coordinator of Women’s Leadership Activities, shared that one of the most meaningful parts of the session was the block dedicated to personal transformation. In an open and sincere conversation, the participants finally realized how much stronger they had become as leaders and how much more confident their voices are today.

A special moment was the address by Anzhelika Bielova, President of Voice of Romni, who herself once went through a difficult and challenging path toward leadership. She emphasized to the participants that real change begins with believing in one’s own voice and one’s own worth. It is important not to devalue your journey, even if it may seem like only a small step. Her words carried warmth, sisterly support, and sincerity. For many women, they became a reminder of everything they had already overcome and of how important it is not to stop. This conversation touched everyone’s heart, because it was not about positions or achievements, but about women who, despite fatigue, fears, and difficulties, continue to act, support others, and transform their communities.

We also prepared a small surprise for the participants – an award ceremony, during which each woman received a recognition award and a leader’s kit as a symbol of gratitude for her perseverance, courage, and readiness to take responsibility for change. Behind every award is a personal story of growth, new knowledge, and important decisions.

The participants also surprised our team with small performances. Women from Kryvyi Rih wrote a poem about women’s leadership and created a video about their group’s journey. Women from Zaporizhzhia prepared a musical performance, words of gratitude, and certificates for all participants and the team. Representatives from Kharkiv shared motivational predictions for the leaders and the project team, which became a symbolic reminder of faith in oneself and in future opportunities.

“This session became more than just the final stage. It became a confirmation that women’s leadership is not only about action, but also about support, reciprocity, and the ability to recover. And it is precisely from this that strength is born — a strength that remains with the participants even after the project ends,” summarized Iryna Kobzieva.

@voice.of.romni 🎊 Ромські активістки завершили курс жіночого лідерства за підтримки «Голосу Ромні» та Care. Ukraine. Своїми враженнями діляться з вами. 🎥 #ГолосРомні #жіночелідерство #ромськілідерки #ромки #ромськагромада ♬ оригінальний аудіозапис – Voice of Romni / Голос Ромні