More than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 6.7 million women require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 2 million are internally displaced. Gender-based violence is up 36% since 2023, and intimate partner violence has increased. The gender pay gap has widened, and unemployment among women is alarmingly high despite labour shortages in many places. Unpaid care responsibilities have risen.
And yet, Ukrainian women play an active role in strengthening their country’s resilience. In 2024, 59% of new businesses were started by women, in sectors ranging from retail to education and healthcare. Women are playing growing roles in local governance, and in traditionally male-dominated fields like STEM and construction. More than 62,000 women are serving in the military. Women’s leadership and engagement is not optional: it is vital if Ukraine’s reconstruction is to be inclusive, democratic, and sustainable.
The fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025), held in Rome in July, acknowledged the importance of empowering women to lead Ukraine’s reconstruction. Government officials, international organisations and civil society actors made clear that women’s leadership and gender-responsive recovery are not just moral imperatives, they are essential to Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and democratic future.
But translating this consensus into real-world achievements will require investment, sustained political will, and inclusive partnerships. Following URC2025, here are three priorities for development partners.
1. Integrate gender equality objectives into ODA to Ukraine across all sectors, especially governance and humanitarian aid
In 2023, the Members of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) committed USD 19.2 billion in bilateral allocable official development assistance (ODA) to Ukraine. Of those, 19% included gender equality objectives – up from 9% in 2022. This reflects a growing understanding that rebuilding Ukraine cannot be gender blind.
However, despite recent improvements, the integration of gender equality objectives into ODA to Ukraine remains uneven across development partners and sectors. While in 2023 gender equality objectives were integrated into 72% of ODA to Ukraine’s business, banking, and financial services, it was the case for only 4% of ODA to government and civil society in Ukraine and 27% of humanitarian aid – which are among the sectors receiving the largest volumes of ODA.
There are many ways to embed gender equality in governance and macroeconomic support, drawing on available tools and good practices. For instance, public financial management policies addressing gender inequalities, targeted social spending, or support to care infrastructure can help reduce gender gaps and stimulate growth. Fair labour practices; access to benefits, legal equality, targeted subsidies and credit; and adjusted tax rates can all support women’s economic participation and empowerment, while contributing to GDP growth.
2. Work with implementing partners to embed gender equality from the outset
Multilateral institutions, development banks and multi-donor trust funds are central to Ukraine’s recovery and can help set higher standards for gender mainstreaming. By working with the private sector, bilateral partners can also mobilise additional finance for gender equality. However, success depends on integrating gender considerations early in programme planning.
What does this look like in practice? The first step is to conduct a gender analysis or gender-impact assessment at the outset of any project. This helps identify how proposed interventions may differently affect women and men, flag potential barriers – such as harmful social norms or belief systems – and highlight opportunities to close gender gaps.
For example, in the context of humanitarian aid, a gender analysis could assess whether displaced women face particular barriers in access to shelter, food, or cash assistance. In governance programmes, it could mean evaluating potential gender biases in tax systems or assessing women’s representation in decision-making bodies or public institutions.
The findings can then drive key elements of programme design, e.g. recommendations for gender equality objectives and indicators, quotas for women’s participation, or support for women-owned enterprises. In the energy sector, for instance, such assessments have informed decisions to offer technical training for women and include them in infrastructure planning, helping ensure that women are an active part of recovery efforts.
3. Increase and protect funding for women’s rights organisations (WROs)
Ukraine's WROs have played a vital role in delivering emergency services, advocating for survivors of gender-based violence and driving inclusive, community-based recovery. Often the first responders when crisis strikes, these organisations need flexible, sustained financial support. Yet many face funding cliffs. Despite critical support from several DAC members in the past, UN Women has reported that financing shortfalls may cause several Ukrainian WROs to close within months. DAC members must step up with flexible, multi-year core funding that allows those organisations to plan ahead, retain staff, and expand services in line with evolving needs. This includes not only emergency responses but also support for long-term recovery, peacebuilding, and participation in reconstruction planning.
This blog is based on ongoing work by OECD analysts. Explore the source material and methodology here.
