‘A Ukrainian woman can do anything.’ These words from Maryna Popatenko, Ukraine’s deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, capture the critical role women have had to play as their country has come under attack from Russia.
Speaking to Ukrainian women from government and civil society, their position is clear. If the country is to emerge from war as a strong democracy and accede to the European Union as it wants, it must recognize this emerging role for women and use it to improve its record on gender equality.