Olga Afanas, educator, psychologist, personal coach, activist, Chisinau

Olga is 38. She has a physical disability because of a birth injury. Olga is a professional translator, and English and Romanian teacher. Since 2012 she has been running her own company for translation and editing for educational activities, personal development and psychology coaching. She is also the vice-president of International Affairs for the Ecological Green Party of Moldova. 

She used to work as an employee, and then as a freelancer. Once Olga started her own business, she faced many troubles, as she reported. Back then, there were no special courses for female entrepreneurs or for people with disabilities aspiring to found an enterprise. However, learning from the experience of her friends and relatives, she was able to succeed on her own.

Having the moral and financial support of her family, she overcame all obstacles and fulfilled her dream. From her experience, she pledges a more efficient regulation and financial policy for SMEs in Moldova. The promotion of women at all levels is most important to her. Once facing discrimination, she fights for the rights of women with disabilities on the state level to guarantee their financial and social independence in the future. In 2021, she was elected first on the EGP party’s list for the parliamentary elections.