Ukrainian women reshaping industries with skill, innovation and vision for a better future

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are sharing the stories of Ukrainian women who are revolutionizing their fields with their dedication, innovations and zero tolerance for gender inequality and stereotypes.  

Women take a wheel in the male-dominated industry  

Vira, who spent years of her life working as the village head, is now navigating male-dominated industry of logistics and freight transportation. Truck driving in Ukraine has traditionally been a male-dominated profession. But labor shortages and growing demand for equal access to jobs are opening the door to new opportunities.

"After driving a car, a truck seemed like a challenge, but thanks to a good driving school and instructors, the training went quite smoothly," she recalls. 

Breaking stereotypes, Vira underwent training to obtain a Category CE license and later joined a She Drives project that supports women who have decided to pursue a career in freight transport, to make her dream come true and obtain Code 95, which opened access to international transportation. 

"What inspires me is the road, the wheel, and the sense of responsibility. When you deliver the cargo on time, and the vehicle is in good condition, it gives a feeling of satisfaction," she adds. 

A journey into robotics and creativity to support women in STEM

What began as a playful experiment with 3D printing during the pandemic evolved into a company with a clear vision: to merge creativity and engineering in ways that resonate with people. 

“That experiment became ‘KULYA’ - and people’s reactions showed it was something bigger,” explains Olha, Ukrainian innovator, CEO and co-founder of UkraineRobotics. “When we filed our first patent and strangers started asking on social media, ‘Can I order one too?’, I realized it was no longer a hobby. It was the beginning of a company and a vision to create an ecosystem where robotics and imagination meet.” 

Olha speaks candidly about her path into technology. She says she struggled with self-doubt and never saw women in leadership roles in her field growing up, which made it harder to see herself as a CEO. Her message for young women and girls is simple: choose what you love, start exploring and do not listen to anyone. 

She believes that bringing more women into science and engineering isn’t just about fairness, it’s crucial for fostering innovation and helping Ukraine’s future development and reconstruction.  

Clearing lands for safety of communities

Driven by the call to help people, Karyna worked as a firefighter before joining a team of humanitarian deminers within the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Dnipro region.  

“Every day brings something new. I am constantly learning, getting new information, and gaining experience. In this job, it couldn't be any other way –  every trip, every task brings new knowledge,” she explains.  

Karyna describes her daily work as both demanding and meaningful. Her team works across agricultural, forested, and residential areas affected by the war, making them safe again so people can live, work, and children can play without fear. Though sometimes confronted with the stereotype that demining isn’t “women’s work,” she says respect and collaboration in her unit have always enabled her to focus on what is important.  

“What inspires us most is when, after our work in the communities, people can live peacefully, children can play, and living conditions become safe again. That is what gives us the strength to do our work,” she says.

Karyna encourages women and girls to explore this field if they feel drawn to it and not to be limited by traditional expectations about gender roles.

New technologies to open the doors for women in farming industry  

The Ukrainian pig industry is confronting labour shortages and operational challenges amid the ongoing war, with many farms struggling to fill key technical and managerial roles. Oksana Yurchenko, the President of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, is sure that the future of the industry is with women at leadership positions. 

“Involving women in Ukraine’s pig industry is a matter of inclusivity, resilience and innovation. Women bring valuable skills and perspectives that can strengthen farms and the sector as a whole,” she explains.  

Eco-Pork, a Japanese company, is working with Ukrainian partners to bring new digital tools to pig farming. These tools make the work easier to learn and help more women enter skilled jobs, while also improving farm efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The initiative is part of UNIDO’s Green Industrial Recovery project and includes training for women, supporting a more modern, sustainable, and inclusive pig farming sector.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, observed every year on 11 February, was established by the United Nations to promote full and equal access for women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to highlight the vital role they play in driving innovation and sustainable development worldwide. In 2026 the theme is “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls,” highlighting the need to combine these areas to close the gender gap and create a more inclusive future.