As we mark the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian women encounter increased hurdles in accessing security, justice, social services, mental, sexual, and reproductive health services, employment, and other essential amenities. A startling 72% of those officially unemployed are women.
Furthermore, the conflict has escalated the risks of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, human trafficking, and domestic violence.
Two years of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine caused significant loss of life, widespread devastation, displacement of millions, and profound trauma for an entire generation. Families and communities have been torn apart, and the economy has suffered extensive damage. The combined efforts of the World Bank, European Commission, United Nations, and the Government of Ukraine estimate the reconstruction and recovery costs at USD 486 billion over the next ten years. The impact of this war, as with all wars, weighs heavier on women and girls, who bear a disproportionate burden.
Since the onset of the Russian full-scale invasion, approximately 3,238 women and girls have lost their lives, and another 4,872 have sustained injuries. Of the roughly 4 million internally displaced individuals, 56% are female. Predictions for this year anticipate that 56% of those needing humanitarian aid—about 8 million women and girls—will be females. These ongoing assaults on women and their welfare are unacceptable.
As we mark this sorrowful two-year anniversary, Ukrainian women encounter increased hurdles in accessing security, justice, social services, mental, sexual, and reproductive health services, employment, and other essential amenities. A startling 72% of those officially unemployed are women. Furthermore, the conflict has escalated the risks of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, human trafficking, and domestic violence.
In the midst of the exceptional adversities posed by war, women have stepped forward as the mainstay of Ukraine’s economy. At present, every other business in the country is started by a woman. In 2023 alone, Ukrainian women pioneered the establishment of over 10,000 new companies. Furthermore, more than 62,000 women are actively serving in the military, with 43,479 serving on active duty and over 5,000 positioned at the frontline.
“As women continue to suffer the consequences of the war in Ukraine, they need support, security, and most of all, peace. Their resilience throughout has been enduring and remarkable. I reiterate UN Women’s solidarity and admiration for every woman in Ukraine who is supporting her family, community and country whether through the provision of humanitarian assistance, or leadership of contributing to recovery and reconstruction,” highlighted Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine.
Women and women-led organizations are playing a significant role in providing humanitarian aid, supporting their communities and sustaining the economy.
“As an internally displaced person and professional psychologist, I have been helping other women to overcome their problems, including forced displacement, violence, and unemployment. In my role of coordinator for a project in the city of Sambir we organize a variety of activities, including psychological and psychotherapeutic groups, art classes, and English language lessons”, explains Anastasiia Pyrohova from Women’s Perspectives, one of the 40 civil society organizations supported by UN Women.
Source: UN Women