Women’s Leadership in Ukraine During Wartime: New Challenges and Prospects

Can a Crisis Become a Turning Point for Change?

Ukrainian society, which until recently held deeply traditional views on the role of women in business, politics, and the military, has been undergoing a profound transformation in recent years. The war has not only shifted our priorities but has also pushed women toward active Leadership. At the same time, it has led men to recognize both the challenges and opportunities of equal partnership.

Today, women govern cities, hold command (and increasingly combat) positions in Ukraine’s Defense Forces, lead humanitarian missions, and launch businesses amid crisis. In this new article, the team of the Center for Leadership of UCU will explore how perceptions of female leaders have changed in Ukraine and worldwide, what has contributed to this shift, and, most importantly, what the future holds for us. Enjoy your reading!

Stereotypes About Women’s Leadership: The Roots of the Issue

When discussing women’s Leadership, we cannot ignore a significant chapter of its history – deep-rooted stereotypes. Historical sources indicate that skepticism toward women’s Leadership ambitions has permeated most known societies for millennia. The few exceptions – such as the Mother Cult in the Trypillia civilization, the unique status of women in ancient Sparta, or the legal practices of medieval Scandinavian countries – only confirm how widespread these norms were.

Even prominent women in politics, science, or business – such as Cleopatra, Boudica, Princess Olha, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Queens Elizabeth I and Victoria, Lesia Ukrainka, Marie Curie, Margaret Thatcher, Gina Rinehart, and even Taylor Swift – became famous not least because of the surprise (and sometimes controversy) their proactive Leadership provoked.

Is this relevant to Ukrainian society? Both yes and no. Its traditionalism has never been absolute. Throughout different historical periods, Ukraine has demonstrated a relatively liberal attitude toward women’s roles, both in the family and in society. And could it have been otherwise, when countless wars literally forced Ukrainian women to take responsibility for their families and manage households – albeit temporarily – on their own?

One would think that this positive experience should have long eradicated stereotypes about the effectiveness of women in leadership positions. However, according to a 2020 study by McKinsey & Company, biases regarding women’s competence, emotionality, and ability to make complex decisions remained prevalent in significant parts of society.

Our colleagues from the Project Kesher initiative compiled a striking selection of the most widespread stereotypes about women in business and management:

• The persistent belief that family and home are the “most appropriate” places for a woman’s self-fulfillment.
• Doubts about a woman’s ability to succeed through her own efforts.
• The acceptability of career growth only in “female” fields.
• The perceived inefficiency of a so-called “female” management style.

“Women’s and men’s Leadership differ even in the questions we are asked! As well as in how a woman is received, how she is greeted, and what is expected of her”

said Mariana Voznytsia, then-head of the Western Interregional Department of the National Health Service of Ukraine, in 2019.

But do these perceptions reflect reality? According to McKinsey & Company’s research, they do not. On the contrary, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strategic thinking have become precisely the factors that allowed women-led companies to respond more effectively to modern challenges.

Similar conclusions – albeit in the context of Ukraine in 2016-2017 – were reached by the Center for Leadership of UCU and UCU Business School teams as a result of their own initiatives to support the development of women’s Leadership.

What Has Changed Over the Last Decades?

The global trend toward equality has significantly strengthened due to international initiatives. One such initiative is UN Resolution 1325, “Women, Peace, and Security”, which promotes the inclusion of women in peacekeeping processes. According to a 2023 McKinsey & Company analysis, corporate governance quotas in Europe have led to an increase in the number of women in leadership positions, while in the United States, the share of female CEOs among Fortune 500 companies has risen to 10%.

Similar trends are observed in Ukraine. However, unlike in other countries, the catalyst here has not been legislative initiatives aimed at meeting EU accession requirements, but rather the realities of war.

In recent years, the number of women in government, business, and the military in Ukraine has increased significantly. According to the Central Election Commission, as of May 1, 2024, the share of women in the Ukrainian Parliament reached 21.2% of all members (compared to just 11.69% in 2014). No less striking are the changes in female representation within Defense Forces of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Recently released data from the Ministry of Defense indicates that by 2025, over 70,000 Ukrainian women were serving in the military, including more than 5,500 in combat positions.

Another defining feature of Ukrainian society has been its natural adaptation to the challenges of Russia’s war against Ukraine, particularly in the economic sphere. The mass voluntary movement and military mobilization of men, the temporary loss of entire regions, the internal and external migration of millions, the decline of traditional industries, and the emergence of entirely new sectors have all triggered profound structural shifts in business and management.

Unexpectedly, Ukrainian women have found themselves in a new reality – one where skilled professionals are more valuable than ever before. In many cases, gender is no longer a barrier to employment or career advancement. Moreover, the realities of wartime have compelled entire sectors of the economy to reconsider their hiring policies – from employing women in traditionally “male-dominated” industries like mining and logistics to expanding women’s representation in international business affairs.

Of course, challenges persist. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance, 74.9% of the unemployed in 2024 were women. However, these obstacles only fuel the determination of Ukrainian women to realize their leadership potential. The fact that in the midst of war, in 2023, half of all newly registered sole proprietorships (approximately 154,000) and one-third of all new businesses (about 10,000) were founded by women serves as a striking confirmation of this trend.

“We talk a lot about women taking on physically demanding jobs during wartime, but are we ready to talk about women’s Leadership? Are organizations preparing women for leadership positions? Today, this is essential not only for internal development but also for the international market. In a situation where men have limited ability to cross the border, we cannot afford to lose global communication due to the absence of women in top management”

says Sophia Opatska, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development at UCU, founding Dean and Chair of the Supervisory Board of UCU Business School.

What Are the Prospects for Women’s Leadership in Ukraine?

The data presented above leads us to a logical question: will women’s representation in various sectors of the economy decline after the war ends? In our view, the answer is no. Women who have gained leadership experience will not want to return to traditional roles. If we add to this their unique crisis management experience, adaptability, ability to build strong interpersonal relationships, and capacity to create psychologically safe environments within organizations, we will see precisely the “asset” that war-torn Ukrainian society will need for its recovery.

But does this mean that Ukraine’s future will become “feminized”? Again, the answer is no. Ukrainian men, whether on the home front or the battlefield, will bring back valuable skills of their own. Researches by the Center for Leadership of UCU have repeatedly highlighted this fact.

Rather, amid all the horrors of the past decade, Ukrainian society has been given a unique opportunity for a profound ideological transformation. Each of us, within our abilities and strengths, now has the chance to contribute to the creation of a truly equal partnership – for the sake of a dignified future.To ensure this opportunity is not lost, the Center for Leadership of UCU, together with our colleagues from the UCU Business School, is officially launching a new phase of research on women’s Leadership. This initiative aims to analyze the experiences of those who, without exaggeration, have become the “face” of Ukraine in various fields. It will also provide effective training for those who are only now taking their first steps toward Leadership. Because only together – without bias and with mutual support – can we build a Ukraine worthy of the sacrifices made by the best among us. Follow our website and social media channels – exciting updates are coming soon!