Czechia's first lady makes first visit to Kyiv, talks mental health

Czech First Lady Eva Pavlová arrived early this morning in Kyiv for the third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. This event, initiated by Olena Zelenska, the wife of the current Ukrainian president, aims to foster global cooperation among the partners of world leaders. Among the topics of discussion was mental health and how it is affected by war.

Pavlová’s arrival was marred by an air raid alert. In an unexpected turn of events, Ukraine's air defense system successfully intercepted several Russian missiles just before her arrival. This tense backdrop served as a stark reminder of the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.

The third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, moderated by the renowned British actor, director, and presenter Stephen Fry brought together partners of world leaders from across the globe, highlighting the importance of addressing not only conflicts and wars, but also various natural disasters, epidemics, economic crises, and terrorist threats. These challenges, as emphasized by Zelenska, transcend borders and impact the mental well-being of people worldwide.

This is Pavlová's first visit to Kyiv since her husband took office in March. President Petr Pavel undertook an official state visit to Ukraine in April this year. Upon assuming the role of Czechia’s first lady, Pavlová said she wanted to focus on single and disadvantaged mothers, those affected by divorce, and a range of social issues, such as poverty.

The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen was initiated in 2021 by Zelenska with the objective of sharing experiences and collaborating on projects to enhance the well-being of people globally, in line with the view that mental health knows no borders.

As the world continues to grapple with multifaceted challenges, the Summit of First Ladies stands as a testament to the power of unity and cooperation in addressing pressing global issues.