Ukraine’s demographic profile has recently undergone remarkable changes. Women are increasingly taking on leadership positions by becoming business owners or decision-makers or advancing from middle management to executive roles. This trend is primarily linked to the feminisation of many industries – either because of natural emancipation or as a consequence of the war.
Shifting employment roles
Women in Ukraine have been progressively advancing into leadership roles across various sectors. As of July 2024, women held 85 out of 401 seats in Ukraine’s parliament, accounting for 21.2 per cent of the total. This reflects a significant increase from previous years; for instance, in 2014, women occupied only 11.8 per cent of parliamentary seats.
In war time, when men of conscription age join the military to fulfil their civic duty, women also step up by engaging in volunteer work, supporting efforts on the home front, and replacing men in roles that were previously considered exclusively male. In Ukraine, changes in employment laws lifted restrictions on women working in heavy industry, allowing them to work underground and ensure essential services. Over 15 per cent of (male) miners have left their occupation to join the army since February 2022, highlighting the need for women in these vital positions. The picture is the same in agriculture and logistics, where women have trained as tractor and lorry drivers to address labour shortages in sectors previously dominated by men.
Asian Woman Leadership 