Plan International to Host World Refugee Day Event: 'Their Voices Shape the Future: Peace, Reconstruction, and Connections with Japan through the Eyes of Ukrainian Women'

Plan International, an international NGO based in Setagaya, Tokyo (Chair: Kiyoko Ikegami), will host an online event titled 'Their Voices Shape the Future: Peace, Reconstruction, and Connections with Japan through the Eyes of Ukrainian Women' on Friday, June 19, 2026, ahead of World Refugee Day. Supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the event will present the challenges faced by women, as well as their roles and potential in peacebuilding and reconstruction, based on research conducted by staff who are themselves Ukrainian refugees. As conflicts increase globally, the number of people forced to flee their homes continues to rise. Host communities face social and economic challenges, and refugees often live in difficult conditions, with women being particularly vulnerable. However, their experiences and perspectives hold the potential to be a vital force in building sustainable peace and promoting international cooperation. Currently, about 2,000 Ukrainian refugees live in Japan, the majority of whom are women. Even away from their homeland, many continue to engage in activities that support Ukraine and bridge the gap between Japan and Ukraine. In this event, based on research and voices collected by staff member Anna Sharhorodska—herself a Ukrainian refugee—we will deepen our understanding of the challenges, hopes, and the value of the experiences of Ukrainian women in Japan. We will also share perspectives from those involved in Ukraine support and peacebuilding to discuss how to support and leverage their potential for a better future.