Nicoleta Paladi

What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?

Coming from Eastern Europe, my vision of the world and women's purpose in it has largely been impacted by a patriarchal outlook. Witnessing how my own mother has been impacted by it and witnessing the other societal barriers women face on the way to success, including me, I have developed a deep passion for trying to combat what we, as women, have been taught.

Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.

As an advocate for non-formal education, social justice, and gender equality, my experiences have been all about raising awareness and inspiring young people to take an active role in their society. I have engaged for more than four years in creating mentorship programs, seminars, and workshops for young people to inspire their civic involvement, self-development, and sense of righteousness. I recently returned from a volunteering experience in Nepal where I counseled an educational enterprise on their projects. My dedication culminated with launching a Moldovan blog and an extensive mentorship project for young women, in which I help them develop their confidence skills by creating school clubs. The project has been the first of its kind in the country.

Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy reading, traveling, and diving into spiritual matters such as yoga and meditation. I'm in love with self-development and like listening to podcasts and doing online courses.