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Three years of full-scale war in Ukraine have severely impacted women and girls, rolling back decades of progress in gender equality and economic stability, according to the United Nations. The ongoing conflict has left 6.7 million women in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, with nearly 1.9 million internally displaced. Over 3,799 women and 289 girls have lost their lives, though actual figures are believed to be higher.
The war has exacerbated existing inequalities, increasing exposure to gender-based violence, deepening unemployment, and adding to the burdens of domestic and unpaid care work. Cases of gender-based violence have surged by 36 per cent since 2022, with war-related distress contributing to both domestic violence and heightened mental health struggles among women and girls, according to the latest numbers by UN Women shared in a statement.
Women’s participation in the economy has also been severely impacted. In 2023, women accounted for 72.5 per cent of the unemployed, with only 48 per cent of displaced women securing jobs in 2024 — compared to 71 per cent of men. The gender pay gap has widened significantly, with women earning 41.4 per cent less than men in 2023, nearly double the disparity seen in 2021. The closure of childcare facilities has further intensified the burden of unpaid work, with women now spending 56 hours per week on childcare, up from 49 hours before the war.
Despite these challenges, Ukrainian women continue to play a crucial role in the country’s resistance and recovery, the UN stated in the press release. Many have stepped into leadership roles in humanitarian work, civil society, and business. Today, one in two businesses in Ukraine is founded by a woman, and more women are entering traditionally male-dominated sectors such as security, transportation, and demining.
Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine, stressed the need for greater international support. “Donors’ support for Ukrainian women-led organisations and programmes is crucial so they can continue promoting gender equality, women’s rights and leadership,” she said. “Women’s full engagement will be essential to rebuild Ukraine as a gender-equal and gender-responsive society — across all areas of society, the economy and political life.”
UN Women has provided assistance to over 180,000 women and girls in Ukraine since 2022, offering humanitarian aid, psychosocial and legal support, protection services, and economic empowerment programmes. The organisation is also advocating for legal reforms to improve women’s rights and increase their participation in decision-making processes.
As Ukraine looks towards recovery, UN Women is calling for sustained investment in gender equality and the empowerment of women. This includes strengthening women’s rights organisations, supporting female leaders in humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts and ensuring that women play a central role in shaping Ukraine’s future.