Fostering Gender Equality in War-Affected Countries: Case of Ukraine

Military intervention and hybrid war on the territory of Ukraine results in a dramatic loss of human potential, especially men of working age, due to constant casualties, mental and bodily harm. Thus, Ukrainian women feel brunt of the war by taking major responsibility for family and public interests. Their participation and leadership grow in major life areas including military, NGOs, and public authorities.

The proportion of females in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is increasing, from almost nothing in 2014 to 8.5 percent in 2017. However, men and women in military do not enjoy equal career opportunities: the upper age limit for men is 45-69 years depending on function and grade, while women retire at the age of 40. Unfair terms lead to gender pay gap and glass ceiling for women engaged in the Armed Forces.

Ukrainian women are founding members of numerous voluntary organizations assisting inhabitants of nearby front-line districts and providing rehabilitation for internally displaced population.

The female top officials were responsible for important transformations in the public sector of Ukraine: Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs – replacement of the corruptive post-Soviet militia by modern police; Head of the National Bank – cleaning the banking system to save it from collapse; Minister of Finance – restructuring the public external debt to avoid the sovereign default.

Recognizing the considerable role of female empowerment in modern Ukraine, it is high time to cancel obscurant laws restricting females from occupying certain posts and promote gender diversity in business and public administration.