RECLAIM Projects 2023

Project RECLAIM | European Role Models, initiated in 2023 and spanning until 2025, addresses gender inequality in Europe by empowering female activists and local politicians. The project focuses on enhancing skills, fostering awareness of gender disparities, and building a supportive network to encourage women's active participation in political discourse and decision-making.

Our Participants

Personal Insights from the Project & Individual Digital Products

Kateřina Kolouchová

Kateřina Kolouchová engages actively by valuing her perspective, inspiring others, embracing mistakes, and prioritizing personal time. She recommends building connections, promoting mutual support, and engaging in networks like RECLAIM, advocating for gender equality, and supporting colleagues.

Teresa Becher

Teresa Becher expresses frustration with the system, feeling pressured to be perfect. Despite challenges, she draws inspiration from predecessors and future generations, emphasizing a determined and individualistic approach.

Kateřina Boťová

Lara Brett

Lara Brett highlights the powerful impact of the workshops, acknowledging shared struggles but expressing frustration at pervasive misogyny. She emphasizes the urgency for men's involvement in implementing solutions and underscores the importance of solidarity in fostering resilience among women.

Romana Jungwirth Březovská

Anna Kania

Lucia Klestincova

Link: https://www.eventbrite.be/e/her-political-circle-sacred-well-of-support-for-women-in-politics-policy-tickets-725578794707?aff=oddtdtcreator

Marketa Kos Mottlová

Ellen Anna Kovačíková

What is your personal strategy to become more resilient?

I encourage every woman in politics to socialize and connect with other woman, even myself (and I am an introvert)
Find your allies. Try local Facebook support groups, don't be afraid to ask other women.
Share your experiences. That will create trust and safety for the environment around you.

How do we enhance female participation in local and foreign politics?

Build trust. I want people to feel safe around me and to talk about problems as openly as I do, so we can come up with a solution together. That's why I'm not scared to bring up any subject, even uncomfortable ones.
When a woman encounters hate speech or other situations it is highly unlikely that she will contact the ombudsman or any kind of professional support or help. Try to find different solutions where for example the person can stay anonymous and ideally a specialist will help in the situation.
Be aware that newcomers to a situation or community might not feel safe yet. Don’t just assume that your safe space idea is felt by everybody equally. Try to tell newcomers where they can finds support.
Support each other when talking. I would encourage the quieter individuals to share their opinions, and during my speeches, I'd mention their names.
Speaking up involves addressing hateful comments or sexist jokes that may arise. If someone witnesses my reaction, they may feel safer and realize their significance within this space."

What is your recommendation for other female politicians/activists?

If a women is there for the first time, offer support and create a safe space. Stand by her, offer encouragement, and also introduce her to male allies.
Strive to elevate women to higher positions in the room. For instance, when speaking, pass the floor to another female present, encouraging her participation.

Nikola Majsniarová

What is your personal strategy to become more resilient and enhance female participation in local and foreign politics?

Reading, Education, Improving skills: in public speaking, presentation skills, self-confidence, and diplomacy.

Pro-active approach: involved in debates, member of the think tank, participating in student organizations, internships in the EU

Raising awareness and challenging stereotypes: commenting on posts and sharing content on social media, countering hate speech, pointing out facts

Being the change that I want to see: expressing opinions about wrong manners and stereotypical behavior.

Showing authentic spirit rather than conforming to a position: to be me, wear colors and feminine clothes

What is your recommendation for other female politicians/activists?

Don't hesitate to participate and speak up because: "The mere presence of one woman in the room opens the way to a brighter future for all femme fatales."

Tímea Paulíková

A poem by Tímea Paulíková, "Lessons We've Learnt, When Can We (Women) Stop?", eloquently captures the struggles and frustrations of women navigating societal expectations, emphasizing the ongoing fight for gender equality and the strength found in unity and resilience.

Giota Stathakou

Giota Stathakou advocates for comprehensive strategies to empower and increase the representation of women in politics, encompassing education, mentorship, policy advocacy, leadership development, and youth engagement.