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Three years into the full-scale war, Ukrainian women lead humanitarian aid and economic resilience
Date:
Three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian women continue to bear the brunt of the war. With over 1.8 million internally displaced (in households consisting exclusively of IDPs)i and almost 6.7 million requiring humanitarian assistance, the war in Ukraine is “one of the most profound humanitarian crises of our time”. Women in Ukraine face rising unemployment, escalating gender-based violence, and growing domestic burdens. At the same time, the war continues to take lives: more than 3,799 women and 289 girls have been killed, with actual numbers likely much higher.
Yet, amid destruction and displacement, women are leading the resistance.
Ukraine's women are stepping up as first responders, civil society leaders, and entrepreneurs at the forefront of humanitarian response, economic recovery, and social cohesion. Today, women drive half of all new businesses in Ukraine, turning crises into opportunities.
UN Women calls for renewed support and investment in women’s rights organizations and women leaders to deliver humanitarian assistance and participate in early recovery and peace processes. Women’s leadership is essential for Ukraine’s future and the key to rebuilding a more gender-equal and resilient society.
Key Facts and Figures
59%
of the 3.2 million living in households made up exclusively of those displaced within Ukraine are women and girls
48%
of displaced women were employed compared to 71% of men in 2024
6.7 million
women are in need of humanitarian assistance
Sources: IOM Internal Displacement Report, IOM Employment, Mobility and Labour Market Dynamics in Ukraine, OCHA Ukraine.
Women of Ukraine rising in resilience
