Peaceful ocean at sunrise

It is with great sadness we report the death of our former colleague Katarzyna (Kasia) Wolska-Wrona. Kasia worked as a seconded national expert in EIGE’s gender-based violence programme from November 2018 to November 2020.

She was a brilliant mind, a tireless champion of women’s rights, and a warm and open person who took the time to get to know everyone she worked with.

­­­­­Kasia came to EIGE from the Polish government, where she was the chief expert on fundamental rights. A lawyer by training, she believed in the power of legal texts to improve people’s lives.

In her work for EIGE, Kasia always made sure to highlight how much victims of gender-based violence would benefit from proper implementation of laws such as the EU Victims’ Rights Directive. This practical approach enabled her to come up with solid policy proposals to help EU countries better protect women.

Being practical did not stop Kasia being ambitious. She had high expectations of herself, and of the organisations she worked for. She was not afraid to make suggestions for how we could increase the impact of our research, and showed us how we could expect more of ourselves. Firm but diplomatic, personable but professional, she was a born leader who inspired those around her.  

The same passion she had for her work, she had for life after the office shut its doors. She was committed to weekly quiz nights with her colleagues, to hosting joyful dinners, and to baking cakes. She had a wicked sense of humour and an infectious laugh that lightened the mood on even the most difficult of days. We will miss her terribly.     

Our thoughts are with Kasia’s family and her many friends.