UN Report: Millions of Women in Ukraine Need Humanitarian Assistance.

According to the UN Women report, women in Ukraine face many challenges, including increased risk of gender-based violence, unemployment, decision-making restrictions, heavy domestic workload, and serious mental health issues.

According to the UN, over 3,799 women and 289 girls have died in the last three years. However, these numbers are likely much higher than actual figures. There is a need for humanitarian assistance for about 6.7 million women.

'Gender-based violence, which was prevalent even before the war, has increased by 36% since 2022. Military stress has contributed to the rise in gender and domestic violence, as well as increased levels of depression among women and girls. Women do not have equal opportunities in the economy. In 2023, women accounted for 72.5% of the unemployed. By 2024, only 48% of displaced women found jobs, compared to 71% of men. Women's wages were 41.4% less than men's in 2023, which has doubled the wage gap compared to 2021. The volume of unpaid caregiving and domestic work has increased: in 2024, women spent 56 hours a week caring for children, compared to 49 hours before the war. The closure of childcare facilities has further complicated the situation,' the UN report states.

Despite all these difficulties, women in Ukraine are actively engaged. They work as humanitarian workers, community leaders, activists, and entrepreneurs. Currently, every second business in Ukraine is founded by a woman. New opportunities arise for women in traditionally male-dominated fields such as security, transport, and demining.