Womankind Worldwide welcomes Olga Ghazaryan as new Co-Chair of its Board

Womankind Worldwide is pleased to announce Olga Ghazaryan as a new Co-Chair of our board. Olga who officially takes up the position on 1 August 2023, is a feminist and social justice activist with 30 years of experience in international development across 50 countries in the world. She’s worked extensively across women’s rights particularly in advancing women’s participation in leadership, ending violence against women and economic justice.  She’s also previously held executive and non-executive director roles with Oxfam, Norwegian Red Cross and Water Aid- and similar capacities within the private sector. 

Olga will be joining Twasiima P. Bigirwa as a fellow Co-Chair of Womankind’s board of trustees. We look forward to having two bold feminist leaders who’ll be steering Womankind to greater heights in contributing to a gender equal work for all women, girls and people of all genders. As our two Co-chairs, Olga and Twasiima will lead the appointment of two new Co-CEOs following the retirement of Caroline Haworth, who served as Womankind’s CEO for the past 7 years. 

What drew you to feminism and women’s rights work? 

Growing up in Armenia I witnessed the social unrest and economic collapse in the country while in my twenties. The state of deprivation of social services and impoverishment shaped my worldview, fueled my convictions in making a difference and made me join the social justice movement. 

What motivates you as a feminist? 

I am motivated in making a difference- particularly in contributing to a just, equal and more equitable world for women, girls and people of all genders. Additionally, I am motivated in seeing young women and girls realize and fulfil their true potential. 

What motivated you to join Womankind Worldwide 

I believe at a time like this when there’s been an erosion on women’s rights across the world, this is the opportune moment of powering women’s rights organisations to advance gender equality. Womankind sits right at the heart of this as an intersectional, progressive and inclusive organization. I am also interested in shared governance and leadership and Womankind exudes this in line with feminist principles. 

What are some of the core feminist values and convictions that you share with Womankind? 

Sharing power in an accountable and transparent way is one value that I believe aligns with the organisation. Secondly, I am committed to challenging discriminatory behaviors when I see them and an impactful way to do that is to involve people at the decision-making level where I have modelled this in my leadership roles. 

In my personal time I mentor young women mostly from the Global South by helping them to creatively unleash their inner potential. 

Any milestones and progressive accomplishments you’ve made in the feminism movement? 

I had my own feminist awakening when I encountered an incident of discrimination in my youth which opened my eyes to the corrosive nature of patriarchy. In my international experience within the development sector, I got exposed to gender-based violence, economic and political discrimination.  These experiences made me immerse myself in different feminism schools and commit to intersectional and multiracial feminism perspectives. 

This shift enabled me to channel my anger of witnessing appalling injustice to undoing some of the wrongs. I am proud of the milestones I made from this promise- first, I led the opening of the first Middle East Gender Justice hub in Lebanon while working for Oxfam. And for the last 7 years, I have been the Chair of Oxygen Foundation – an organisation that champions women’s political and economic empowerment. 

What are your ambitions and aspirations with this new role at Womankind? 

I am excited to work with Twasiima – the other Co-Chair, the board and the leadership of Womankind. I want to ensure that the organisation continues to be progressive, intersectional and inclusive. My aspiration is working in partnership with the leadership team and supporting and stretching them to pro-actively respond to external opportunities and make Womankind’s brave 2030 strategy a reality.