More than two million Ukrainian women have been forced to leave Ukraine for European Union countries as a result of Russia’s full-scale war. Most are of working age. While building new lives abroad, and pursuing their careers, they continue to support Ukraine in numerous ways—through cultural advocacy, organizing events, volunteering, and assisting newly arrived women and children.
To highlight both the contributions and the untapped potential of these women, the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, in partnership with the Open Space Works Ukraine think tank, conducted the study “Ukrainian Women in the EU: Voices, Networks, and the Future of Ukraine’s Recovery”
327 Ukrainian women currently living in EU countries or who have already returned to Ukraine attended to the study. The largest number of responses came from Germany, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Czechia, and Spain.
The findings demonstrate the significant contribution and potential of Ukrainian women abroad:
- 67% of respondents are already engaged in at least one activity supporting Ukraine.
- 53% regularly talk about Ukraine within their personal and professional networks, helping shape public opinion and sustain international support.
- 47% maintain active professional or economic ties with Ukraine.
The research was conducted by the Ukrainian Women’s Fund and Open Space Works Ukraine in partnership with the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy, and the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine.