In the margins of the Vilnius Summit on Wednesday (12 July 2023), a number of Allied foreign and defence ministers met with civil society representatives, including from Ukraine, discussing how women in leadership roles can inspire change and support women in all phases of the conflict in Ukraine. The NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, Irene Fellin, co-hosted the event together with the Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen.
"We have a collective responsibility to do more," said Ms Fellin. "We are here making the change that we seek, leading by example and inspiring women and girls to join us now and in the future. Leadership matters," she added.
The event builds on an initiative launched last year at the margins of the Madrid Summit, providing a unique platform for high-level dialogue and consultation. It is meant to foster transformative change and bolster transatlantic dialogue on women's leadership, forging a path towards a brighter, safer and more inclusive future.
Women's leadership and participation in peace and security issues is at the core of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and at the forefront of NATO's commitments as reflected in the 2022 Strategic Concept.
