In the small, battered villages of eastern Ukraine, the concept of a “nine-to-five” has long since evaporated, replaced by a relentless cycle of survival and service. Kseniia Mishyna, a village head overseeing four communities near the volatile front lines, embodies this shift. She admits she cannot remember the last time she enjoyed a full night’s sleep or a quiet meal. Her days are a blur of high-stakes logistics: coordinating the evacuation of elderly residents under the shadow of artillery fire, driving through cratered roads to deliver bread to the isolated, and navigating the collapse of basic infrastructure. “I can’t imagine myself anywhere else,” she says, her voice reflecting a sentiment shared by thousands of women who have become the backbone of a nation in its third year of full-scale invasion.
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the international community often views the conflict through a purely geopolitical or military lens. However, a deeper look at the social fabric reveals a landscape where the impacts of war are profoundly gendered. Since the initial escalation in 2022, the lives of Ukrainian women and girls have been upended by a trifecta of displacement, economic devastation, and a harrowing surge in gender-based violence. While the headlines focus on territorial shifts, a quieter but equally critical battle is being fought within the domestic and economic spheres—one where women are not merely surviving, but actively rewriting the rules of Ukrainian society.
The data underscores a startling economic metamorphosis. Despite the ongoing bombardment, women are currently powering Ukraine’s wartime economy with unprecedented vigor. In 2024 alone, women were responsible for launching 59 percent of all new sole proprietorships and small businesses. This is a significant leap from 51 percent in 2021, prior to the invasion. Over the last three years, the total share of female entrepreneurs in the country has climbed from 40 percent to a staggering 61 percent. These are not just statistics; they represent families kept fed, local supply chains maintained, and a national economy kept from total collapse. When the men were called to the front, the women stepped into the marketplaces, the boardrooms, and the workshops, ensuring that life—and commerce—continued.
However, this resilience comes at a steep price. Experts warn that “gender-blind” humanitarian aid continues to be a major hurdle. When aid packages fail to account for the specific needs of women—such as reproductive healthcare, specialized protection from violence, and childcare support—the safety and livelihoods of half the population are placed in direct jeopardy. The OECD reports that of the USD 19.2 billion in allocable aid sent to Ukraine in 2023, only USD 3.6 billion included any gender equality objectives. Even more concerning, less than half a percent of that aid was dedicated to gender equality as a primary goal. This disparity suggests that while women are doing the heavy lifting of social recovery, the international financial response has yet to fully catch up to their reality.
To bridge this gap, organizations like UN Women have been working alongside the Ukrainian government to ensure that the recovery is not just fast, but inclusive. Since 2022, more than 15 major laws and policies have been enacted to safeguard women’s rights and promote their participation in decision-making. The most significant milestone arrived in 2025 with the passage of a landmark law requiring “gender-responsive budgeting” across all government institutions. This legislative shift ensures that public funds are allocated with an eye toward the specific needs of different demographic groups. Whether it is funding for maternity clinics, vocational training for displaced mothers, or safety measures in public transport, the law ensures that the “rebuilding” of Ukraine includes everyone.
The transformation is perhaps most visible in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In a historic shift for a traditionally patriarchal military structure, more than 70,000 women have joined the ranks. Of these, at least 5,500 are serving in active combat zones, taking on roles as snipers, medics, and drone operators. This is not just about defense; it is about dignity. By taking their safety into their own hands, these women are refusing the narrative of the “passive victim.” This spirit of defiance extends into civilian life, where women are breaking into sectors once dominated by men. UN Women has pioneered programs to train women as municipal bus drivers and deminers—occupations that are vital for a country struggling with labor shortages and the most significant landmine problem in modern history.
Tetiana Rubanka is one such pioneer. Having transitioned into the dangerous field of humanitarian demining, she views her work as a direct contribution to the country’s future. “What seems ‘not a woman’s job’ may turn out to be your mission,” Rubanka says. “We are strong. We can do it all!” Her sentiment is echoed by the Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), which has provided critical backing to over 65 women-led organizations across 20 regions of Ukraine. These local groups are often the first responders in the wake of missile strikes, providing immediate mental health support and essential supplies in areas where international NGOs find it difficult to operate.
Yet, as Ukraine looks toward a post-war future, the path remains fraught with challenges. There is a global trend of rolling back women’s rights, a “creeping mainstreaming” of anti-feminist rhetoric that threatens to silence the progress made in the heat of conflict. In Ukraine, women are pushing back against this tide, demanding that their wartime contributions translate into peacetime leadership. They are no longer content with being “supported”; they want to be the ones deciding how their communities are governed and how their country is rebuilt.
The stakes could not be higher. Many women have lost years of education and career advancement due to displacement. Caregiving responsibilities have intensified as the healthcare system remains under strain, and the trauma of the war will likely resonate for generations. Without sustained, targeted investment in women-led initiatives, the life-saving services that have kept the social fabric together could vanish. If the organizations that serve as the “torchbearers” of rights are stretched to the breaking point by global aid cuts, the progress made by women like Kseniia Mishyna and Tetiana Rubanka could be lost.
As UN Women marks its 15th anniversary, the focus remains on the “moment to act.” The organization emphasizes that the bravery shown by Ukrainian women must be met with a corresponding bravery from the international community. Supporting these women is not just a matter of charity; it is a strategic necessity for global security. A recovery that ignores the voices of 50 percent of the population is a recovery built on sand. By sustaining local women leaders and ensuring they have a seat at the table in high-level negotiations, the world can help ensure that the Ukraine that emerges from this war is more equitable, more resilient, and more democratic than the one that entered it.
The story of Ukraine’s resistance is often told through the movement of battalions and the delivery of tanks. But the true story of the nation’s endurance is found in the village heads who drive through fire, the entrepreneurs who keep the lights on, and the deminers who clear the path home. These women are not just waiting for the war to end; they are actively building the peace they want to see. They have proven they are bold enough to transform their society; now, the world must prove it is bold enough to stand with them. Through gender-responsive budgeting, increased funding for grassroots organizations, and a commitment to protecting rights, the international community can ensure that the “steel and grace” of Ukrainian women leads to a lasting and just recovery.
