Olena Shevchenko

Olena Shevchenko is a prominent Ukrainian women’s and LGBTI rights activist, serving as the chairwoman of the NGO Insight, and co-founder of the feminist movement Women's March (“Marsh Zhinok”) in Ukraine.

She advocates for marginalized communities, including LGBTI individuals and women from vulnerable communities, and challenges discriminatory laws. Under her leadership, Insight has become a visible and significant player for advocacy both nationally and internationally. In 2021, Olena was awarded the Human Rights Tulip by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for her pioneering human rights work. The following year, she and Insight received the “Prix international de Paris” for the Rights of LGBTI+ People.

Named one of TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year in 2023, Olena highlighted the increased vulnerability of women and LGBTI people during the war in Ukraine, pointing to widespread discrimination, sexual violence, and gaps in humanitarian aid. Additionally, Olena is a board member and the treasurer of ILGA-World and in December 2025, she was elected as a co-chair of the EuroCentralAsian Community (EL*C). She remains a powerful advocate for human rights in Ukraine.