On April 27, volunteer and activist Khrystyna Senchenko hosted the lecture-conversation “Women During War.”
During this heartfelt gathering, we listened to and shared the experiences that women in Ukraine are living through today.
We spoke about emigration, caring for children and relatives in difficult conditions, volunteering, and service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine — and about the challenges women face in all these roles.
We reflected on:
- the expectations society places on women to care for families, often unquestioningly, and the trauma many women experience through forced emigration;
- the hardships of volunteering in border regions and the bravery of those who choose to stay in dangerous zones to help others;
- the lack of recognition for women in the military and the issues with gear that is not adapted to female anatomy;
- the women waiting for their husbands to return from the front or captivity, facing loneliness and in need of emotional support;
- the women stepping into men’s roles in business and “male” professions, and how the war exposes old and creates new forms of stereotypes and discrimination.
We are deeply grateful to everyone for your openness and for the important insights and experiences you shared. It was a real moment of unity and a testament to the strength of women’s experiences.
The lecture took place as part of the opening of the volunteer hub and ethnospace Liteplo, co-founded by Yaryna Hel — a participant of our “Your Path to Activism” training. We’re truly thrilled to see Yaryna’s accomplishments!
At Liteplo, you can find handcrafted goods by Ukrainian craftswomen or attend events held in the space.
