On the eve of the New Year, we held a wrap-up meeting and interviewed Natalia Schaaf, a representative of the German women’s rights organization AMICA e.V. (Freiburg, Germany).
– Why is this project so important right now?
– It addresses the critical need to preserve the mental health of women living in a region that has effectively become a frontline area. The Dnipropetrovsk region is currently very close to the combat zone, and the stress women live under is constant. In such conditions, caring for mental health is not a luxury but a necessity, access to which is often either limited or completely unavailable.
– What makes the format of this project unique?
– The project combines several levels of support: individual psychological counseling, group activities for women, as well as guidance and support for women’s initiatives and newly established organizations. We not only help stabilize their emotional state but also create a sense of strength, support, and community. For many women, this is the first time they feel: “I am not alone.”
– How did the idea for this particular approach come about?
– It is a logical continuation of our previous work. While implementing joint projects, we saw that financial support is important but insufficient. Women critically need a person or team by their side who will support them, offer guidance, and walk the path with them — as a mentor, partner, or source of support. It is precisely this experience that became the foundation for the current format.
– You’ve been working with women for many years. How do you see Ukrainian women today?
– Ukrainian women have always been strong and resilient. Today we see incredible flexibility and versatility: they simultaneously care for children and parents, support their families, work, volunteer, and hold communities together. This isn’t just strength—it’s the ability to unite, find resources, and support others even under grueling conditions.
– What is the main purpose of this project for you?
– As long as there are women, we will stand strong. Women today are like powerful sources of energy. Our task is not to let this energy fade, but rather to help it renew and multiply.
– What would you say to the project participants in the new year?
– We simply want to tell our participants to remember how significant what they do is—both within and beyond the projects—because they are changing women’s lives!
AMICA e.V. was founded in 1993 with the aim of providing support to women in need in regions affected by crises and wars. AMICA promotes active and peaceful work and the development of civil society in Southeast and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, in particular by empowering women to achieve equal rights and become strong advocates for peace and an active civil society. AMICA e.V. actively implements UN Resolution 1325.
