The representatives of mentee organizations learned how to integrate issues of inclusion and gender approach into their own activities and initiatives that they implement as part of the Mentorship Program 3.0.

Iryna Vyrtosu, expert, author of the Inclusion Ambassadors project, told about the inclusion approach in the organization’s activities for mentees.

Participants of the training block learned how inclusion is manifested in details. Using the examples of evacuation border crossing, as well as examples of how the Copenhagen alternatives of property maintenance company and passport office work, the trainer explained what is important to pay attention to. We’re talking about elements such as physical accessibility, logistics, awareness raising, taking into account the needs of people who seek help, among others.

Speaking about low mobility, Iryna Vyrtosu pointed out that low mobility comes as a result of society’s barriers. And this can apply to passengers with large suitcases, women in heels, people accompanying persons with disabilities, the elderly, etc.

“According to the estimates, at one time or another, 30-50% of the population of Ukraine can be classified as low-mobility,” added the expert.

This is a burning issue, considering that Ukraine is under martial law. Communities will be rebuilt, people will have different needs.

“As a society, we must create accessible and barrier-free conditions so that people from different categories can independently exercise their rights and be active in one sphere or another,” Iryna Virtosu pointed out.

The next training block for the participants of the Mentorship Community was the study of gender approach. Nataliia Seliukova, an expert, told about the peculiarities of taking it into account to effectively solve local problems.

In particular, she explained in detail the peculiarities of interpreting gender approach, how gender differs from sex, what spheres of activity are related to gender issues, and taught the participants at what stage and how to monitor and consider needs related to gender approach.

The first training module will conclude with an exploration of what is important to consider for mentee organizations in advocacy projects.

Mentorship Program 3.0 is implemented as part of the Project Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity implemented by the Initiative Center to Support Social Action “Ednannia” in partnership with the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research (UCIPR) and Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law with the sincere support of the American people through United States Agency for International Development.