Last weekend in London, the Fourth Women’s Hackathon, organised by EduHub, brought together Ukrainian women with different professional backgrounds, life stories, and migration experiences — united by a shared need for growth, connection, and honest conversation. Over the course of the day, participants listened to speakers, worked in teams, and spoke openly about what is often left unspoken: fear, starting again, losing stability, and rebuilding inner ground.
“Don’t let your fear become your boss. Take it on as an employee — let it work for you, not against you,” said Khrystyna Mashchenko, opening the event with a reflection on internal barriers that often limit women more than external circumstances.
The courage to start over was a recurring theme. Marina Leonchuk reminded the audience: “Your profession does not define you. Starting from the beginning is not shameful. Starting again is a very adult and brave position in life.”
Language, identity, and migration were central to many conversations. Yuliia Baidyk emphasised the link between voice and agency: “If you don’t have language, you don’t have a voice. And without a voice, there is no development. The world is too unstable — without inner support, everything collapses. Strength is not about enduring; strength is about saying that something is not okay.”
Speaking about displacement, Tetiana Harbuzova described migration as more than physical movement: “Migration is not just a change of place, it’s a break from your roots. Inner clarity brings calm. Whatever decision you make, you must own it. Look for your people — and if you can’t find them, create a community. There is no growth in isolation.”
Marina Heorhiieva shared a deeply personal experience: “Migration was when I first understood what depression really is. I had a choice — to put my life on pause or to step into this experience consciously and live it fully. I chose the second. I learned to be gentler with myself, because we all start from very different positions.”
Not all stories focused on success narratives. Svitlana Popova spoke about loss and resilience: “My story is not a success story — it’s a story of challenges and trials. War destroyed not only buildings, but also the illusion of safety and stability.”
The value of knowledge and experience was highlighted by Tetiana Beili: “The most valuable thing we have is our knowledge. Everything else is temporary, but your experience stays with you.”
Kateryna Ishchenko echoed one of the event’s core messages: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help — and support one another.”
The Fourth Women’s Hackathon became more than a space for learning or networking. It was a place where women’s voices were heard clearly and honestly — without gloss, but with deep respect for the strength that grows through shared experience and mutual support.
The organisator of the event EduHub is alreade planned the Fifth Women Hackaton May 17. You can buy tickets via link.
Photos credit Natalia Prykhodko
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