In focus

Women and girls after two years of war in Ukraine

Pregnant women are seen at the Kyiv Maternity Hospital in March 2022.
Pregnant women are seen at the Kyiv Maternity Hospital in March 2022. Photo: UN Women/Serhii Korovainyi

As of 24 February 2024, Ukrainian civilians have endured two years of war and upheaval following Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country. The conflict has touched the lives of everyone living in Ukraine, and has had particularly dire effects for women and girls.

Women and girls after two years of war in Ukraine

Women, children, and female-headed households are among the most vulnerable populations, as they often lack resources and coping mechanisms, face barriers to accessing services, and are more exposed to protection risks, including gender-based violence. 

Some 14.6 million people are predicted to need humanitarian assistance in 2024, 56 per cent of whom are women and girls.

72% of those registered as unemployed are women
72%

of those registered as unemployed are women

56% of 3.7 million internally displaced people are women and girls
56%

of 3.7 million internally displaced people are women and girls

More than 20 million men and women lost their incomes since the start of the war
+20M

men and women lost their incomes since the start of the war

Sources: Updated Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Needs Assessment

UN Women has worked in Ukraine since 1999. Since 2015, UN Women has been scaling-up its presence and programme. Amid the volatility and war in Ukraine, it is more essential than ever that the rights of women and girls remain at the centre of the humanitarian response.

As women continue to suffer the consequences of this conflict, they must be represented in all decision-making platforms on de-escalation, conflict prevention, mitigation, and other processes in pursuit of peace and security for all the people of Ukraine. 

Two years after the invasion

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