Impact of War on Ukrainian Women
The UN Women, an active organization for women's welfare, has stated that three years of war in Ukraine have reversed decades of progress for women and girls, leaving millions in urgent need of assistance.
Source: UN / Image: © UNFPA/Danil Pavlov
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has forced over 1.8 million women to flee their homes, while approximately 6.7 million women are in need of humanitarian aid. According to UN Women, more than 3,799 women and 289 girls have lost their lives, though the actual numbers are likely much higher. UN Women’s representative in Ukraine, Sabine Freizer Gunes, stated, “The full-scale war has set an entire generation of Ukrainian women back.”
She explained, “They are facing an increased risk of gender-based violence, rising unemployment, reduced decision-making power, greater domestic burdens, and severe mental health crises.” UN Women has reported a 36% increase in gender-based violence since 2022, partly due to war-related stress. At the same time, depression rates among women and girls have worsened. Economically, opportunities have declined, and by 2024, less than half of displaced women had income-generating jobs, while the gender wage gap has doubled since the war began.
Meanwhile, the burden of unpaid care work, including cooking and childcare, has grown as childcare centers have shut down and services have been reduced. In 2024, women spent an average of 56 hours per week on childcare, compared to 49 hours before the war. Despite these challenges, Ukrainian women are leading humanitarian efforts and strengthening the economy. Women have played crucial roles as aid workers, community leaders, and entrepreneurs. Today, one in every two businesses in Ukraine is founded by a woman.
Women are also entering traditionally male-dominated fields such as security, transportation, and mining. Sabine Freizer Gunes emphasized, “Support from donors for women-led organizations and programs is crucial so they can continue to promote gender equality, women’s rights, and leadership.” She added, “For Ukraine’s recovery as a gender-equal and gender-responsive society, full participation of women will be essential.”
In 2024 alone, UN Women has supported over 180,000 war-affected women and girls through initiatives under the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund. The agency provides life-saving humanitarian aid, psychological and legal support, security services, and programs to strengthen women’s economic independence. UN Women is also working to ensure women are included in decision-making and recovery efforts while advocating for legal reforms to secure equal rights and representation.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that on Wednesday morning, several civilians, including a child, were injured in an attack on the city of Odesa. Local authorities stated that the attack left a large residential area without electricity and heating, affecting at least 160,000 people in the winter season.
At the UN headquarters, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a regular press briefing, “Several residential buildings were damaged, as well as a children’s hospital and a kindergarten education center. From our side, we are providing emergency shelter materials, hot meals, psychological support, legal aid, and child protection services.”
The spokesperson added that medical teams are conducting rapid health assessments and distributing medicines, while schools have been ordered to remain closed until power and heating are restored. In the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, aid workers continue to provide humanitarian assistance following the February 17 attack, which damaged a critical energy facility. Around 2,500 people have been left without electricity, heating, and water.
