Finland’s International Gender Equality Prize 2025 goes to assistance work for women who suffer from psychological consequences of war and violence in Ukraine

Finland's International Gender Equality Prize 2025 goes to assistance work for women who suffer from psychological consequences of war and violence in Ukraine

This year, the International Gender Equality Prize was awarded to Masha Foundation , a Ukrainian public organisation which carries out significant work to help Ukrainian women overcome the psychological consequences of war and other violence.

The prize of EUR 300,000 was handed over to founders of the Foundation Mariia Yefrosinina and Oksana Nechyporenko by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Tampere, Finland, on 8 December 2025.

"Determined to support Ukraine with all possible means, Finland will continue its long-term policy to promote gender equality internationally. This prize is a concrete way to help women affected by Russia's war of aggression," says Prime Minister Orpo.

"The importance of gender equality in the midst of the war must not be forgotten. The psychological support that Masha Foundation provides for women who have experienced violence as a result of the war is of paramount importance. It also prepares the ground for Ukraine's reconstruction," says Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Minister of Social Security responsible for gender equality issues.

Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine directly undermines the realisation of Ukrainian women's rights and increases violence against women.

Masha Foundation is doing significant work in wartime to combat violence against women. It supports Ukrainian women in their recovery from the psychological consequences of the war and helps victims of war crimes, including women who have experienced sexual violence and have been held in captivity by Russia. Among its other activities, the organisation trains psychologists to ensure the best help for Ukrainian women and it also operates a women's rehabilitation centre in Kyiv.

"Today we can see, better than ever before, how much our work matters. It became clear to us as soon as the full-scale invasion started. It deepened our conviction that we need to be there to support Ukrainian women. Right now it is more important than ever before," say Mariia Yefrosinina and Oksana Nechyporenko, founders of the organisation.

Psychological assistance and the situation in Ukraine as decisive criteria

Over 350 nominations for the Prize were received from all over the world. The decision on the awardee of the Prize was made on the basis of the proposal of an independent international prize jury.

"The Jury unanimously decided to nominate Masha Foundation as the winner of the Prize. Particular emphasis in the selection was placed on the Organisation's focus on providing psychological assistance to women who have experienced violence, because such aid often receives little attention when talking about violence against women. The award also allows to bring gender equality more to the fore in Ukraine's current circumstances," says Chair of the Jury, MP Saara-Sofia Sirén.

This year, the Jury also included former Argentinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Susana Malcorra, Ambassador Delphine O, co-founder of the Equimundo organisation Gary Barker, former Finnish MP and MEP Silvia Modig, and youth representative of Plan International Nepal Smarika Pokharel.

Fifth award of the Prize

Awarded by the Finnish Government every two years, the International Gender Equality Prize is administered by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Tampere has been a partner of the Prize and the host city for the award ceremony since 2017.

In 2023, the Prize was awarded to the Afghan Women Skills Development Center, which is doing vital work to defend women's rights and equality in the midst of the very difficult situation prevailing in Afghanistan.

In 2021, the Prize was awarded to the We Will Stop Femicide Platform, an organisation carrying out groundbreaking work to combat violence against women in Türkiye and whose efforts also have global relevance.

In 2019, the Prize went to Equality Now, a global non-profit organisation defending the rights of women. It has succeeded in changing discriminatory laws and ossified practices in different countries.

In 2017, the Prize was awarded to Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. She redirected the prize money to a Nigerien organisation that works to stop domestic violence. It uses the funds to build a residential shelter for women.

Inquiries:

Anttoni Saarinen, Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 553, [email protected]
Minna Merikoski, Specialist of international affairs, City of Tampere, tel. +358 40 841 6917, [email protected]

Read more:

• The Second Frontline in Ukraine: How Masha Foundation Helps Women and Children Heal Amid War