Ukrainian women at the front lines of resistance and recovery

In times of war, when laws and budgets do not pay attention to women’s needs and realities, equality suffers setbacks that take decades – or generations – to reverse. UN Women advises the Government of Ukraine and lawmakers on legal and policy changes that protect women and girls and safeguard their rights. Since 2022, more than 15 laws, policies and strategies have been passed in Ukraine which advance women’s access to rights and services, and to support their full and equal participation in decision-making.

While international aid is critical for Ukraine, out of the USD 19.2 billion allocable aid in 2023, only USD 3.6 billion included any gender equality objectives, according to the OECD. Within the aid given to Ukraine that year, less than half a per cent was dedicated to gender equality as the principal objective.

As Ukraine rebuilds from war, how money is spent matters more than ever, especially for women and girls. That’s why UN Women, together with its partners, has been working closely with the Ukrainian Government to make sure national budgets support gender equality. UN Women is also supporting the Alliance for Gender Responsive and Inclusive Recovery – a multistakeholder international forum of over 80 members advocating for better financing for gender equality – in Ukraine’s recovery and women’s leadership in decision-making.

As a result – in a major win in 2025 – Ukraine passed a law that requires “gender-responsive budgeting” by all government institutions. In simple terms, it means making sure public funds go to things that truly meet all people’s needs, including women and girls – like healthcare, education, jobs and safety. This law, along with Ukraine’s Gender Equality Strategy for 2022–2030, puts women and girls front and centre of the country’s recovery efforts.