A Women’s Forum was held in Uzhhorod to strengthen and highlight the role of women in the development of Zakarpattia and Ukraine. The event brought together women leaders from business, local self-government, and civil society organizations, providing a platform to share experiences, exchange ideas, and develop strategies to support regional and national recovery amid the ongoing full-scale war.

The forum was organized by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, the European Union*, Zakarpattia Oblast State Administration, and UNHCR’s implementing partners: Neemia NGO and the “Carpathian Region” International Charitable Foundation (NEEKA).

At the forum, women leaders shared inspiring stories of relocating businesses, starting new ventures from scratch in new communities, managing successful initiatives, and overcoming the challenges of displacement. These candid accounts vividly demonstrated how women leaders are driving economic stability, social protection, and sustainable development in the region.

Since the full-scale Russian invasion, UNHCR has supported 12 women-led organizations and provided nine grants to displaced women in Zakarpattia to launch or expand businesses. This support has enabled them to achieve self-reliance and create job opportunities for other women displaced by the war.

UNDP in Zakarpattia has also actively promoted the empowerment of women, particularly internally displaced persons, within local communities. Through the creation of social infrastructure such as the Integration Hub in Mukachevo — also a joint UNHCR-UNDP project implemented in 2023 — and the Inclusive Resource Centre in Svaliava, along with support for community initiatives and projects enhancing social cohesion, UNDP is facilitating their socio-economic integration. Additionally, UNDP is providing training for social workers, focusing on mental health, burnout prevention, and support for vulnerable groups. These efforts are reinforcing women’s active participation in recovery and community development processes.

Myroslav Biletskyi, the Head of the Zakarpattia Oblast State Administration, noted: “If we compare today’s world to what it was 10 years ago, we can see significant changes. Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in business, science, and public administration. As a regional council deputy, I have noticed that with each term, the number of women in the council chambers grows. In the Armed Forces of Ukraine, thousands of women are defending our country every day. This forum highlights our achievements in advancing equality and reminds us of what still needs to be done.”

Vira Shelest, the Acting Head of UNHCR’s Field Unit Uzhhorod, said: “The forum highlights the resilience and strength of displaced women and the host communities, who together embody the spirit of recovery and protection. Through this forum, we enhanced the determination of women leaders, including those who have been displaced, who managed to relocate their businesses or launch new start-ups, who rebuilt their lives and who have still been driving community-led solutions under extraordinarily challenging circumstances. UNHCR remains committed to supporting displaced women and host communities as they work together toward inclusive, sustainable development and safe communities.” 

Henrik Huitfeldt, Acting Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said: “The European Union actively supports Ukrainian women, who are demonstrating exceptional leadership and determination under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Through grant programmes, social infrastructure development and professional skills training, we are helping to create conditions for their economic independence and active engagement in Ukraine’s recovery.”

Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, said:  “The inclusivity and effectiveness of the recovery process of Ukraine can only be secured through the active involvement of women who are day after day overcoming the challenges inflicted by of war and are becoming change drivers and role models for the revival of several critical sectors of the country and the building block of a stronger social fabric of Ukraine today.   Their resilience, cohesion, and leadership ensure their communities' long-term development. This forum has allowed us to understand women’s needs and vision, enabling us to effectively determine policy and programmatic pathways that support their contributions to Ukraine’s recovery and future.”

* — The forum was supported under the flagship EU-UNDP partnership “EU4Recovery – Empowering Communities in Ukraine.”

For media inquiries:
Kseniya Bilozerova, Communications Focal Point, UNHCR Field Unit Uzhhorod; e-mail: [email protected]

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: [email protected]