There were days when I was afraid to go to school. Every day I encountered harassment, jokes and bullying. Today I want no child with a disability to face such an experience. I want no parents or family members to feel ashamed that their child or loved ones have a disability.
My disability made me stronger. However, I want people with disabilities not to be forced to become stronger, but have freedom to be themselves without shame and fear.
- Empowering women with disabilities
- Enhancing capacities of youth with disabilities
- Strengthening PWDs rights advocacy movements
- Advocating for a better quality of life for all PWDs
MY STRATEGIC GOALS AS A COMMITTEE MEMBER ARE:
- Visibility and influence of women with disabilities in politics and more opportunities for their professional growth
- Fair representation of youth with disabilities in the decision making process at national and international levels
- Powerful PWDs advocacy movements networks, OPDs, self-advocates
- Higher standards of health services for all PWDs
- Access to justice for people with disabilities, particularly in developing countries and countries in conflict
PROFESSIONAL
ACHIEVEMENTS
20 years of advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, in particular cultural rights, political participation of women and youth with disabilities, rights to accessible information and environment. The co-founded organization of people with disabilities "Fight For Right" and the National Human Rights Disability Defenders Network are working towards advancing and strengthening the disability rights movement in Ukraine.
Contributed to the Electoral Code of Ukraine. Member of the Accessibility Working Group at the Central Election Commission. Participated in the development of the National Human Rights Strategy with the focus on disability rights. Serve as an expert of the Examination Commission within the Ministry of Social Policy (Disability Social Fund). Consulted on disability issues the Parliament, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, the OSCE, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Ukraine.
Guest lecturer and trainer on disability human rights for governmental bodies, business entities, media and other stakeholders. Co-author of the analytical papers and Alternative Reports within the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies systems on disability issues. The scope of expertise includes: intersectionality of social identities, advancement of the human rights-based approach to development, business and human rights, ableism in politics.
