Ukraine's war challenges traditional gender roles
14 July 2024
The mobilisation and forced migration of millions of Ukrainians are two main reasons that have taken hundreds of thousands of people out of work, most of them being men. As a result, women are beginning to bear more responsibility for supporting the country’s war-torn economy.
Previously male-dominated professions, such as truck drivers, plasterers, factory workers and deminers, are increasingly being taken up by women. The ongoing process is undoubtedly making Ukrainians rethink their views on gender roles and moving the country towards greater gender equality, similar to what happened during the Second World War, especially in the USA.
The Ukrainian government and independent organisations have launched nationwide programmes to re-train potential female employees. Among those actively learning new skills are people who have been internally displaced and people who have been left without their partners, forcing them to become more self-sufficient. The acquired new skills are not only useful at home, but can also be useful abroad if they have to flee the country. The opportunity to learn a new trade gives those women a new sense of stability and something to fall back on.
 | Anastasia Kucher In the past, Ukrainian women were commonly expected to stay at home and look after their children. Today, more and more of them are taking on jobs that were once stigmatised and unpopular among women, as well as a wide range of roles in the army. However, the responsibility is not easy to carry, especially for those with children who care for them alone. The process of involving women in strengthening the country's economy should be fair and well thought out. It should be followed by a series of new measures, such as a safe environment, zero tolerance for any form of violence or harassment, and sufficient infrastructure to allow women to delegate their childcare responsibilities. While the war continues, some initiatives can't be implemented quickly due to a lack of resources in Ukraine. This allows international partners to come in with support in this sector. |
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