As the war in Ukraine continues unabated, women and girls remain the most vulnerable. Access to sexual and reproductive health services has been severely disrupted, reports of gender-based violence are surging and demographic challenges are deepening. Life-saving services are urgently needed, particularly for vulnerable groups and those in areas on the front-line or in occupied territory.
Persistent barriers to pregnancy-related care, including shortages of medical supplies and trained personnel, coupled with psychological stress and trauma, are driving pregnancy complications. At the same time, displacement, power outages, economic hardship and other challenges are also hindering women and girls from accessing crucial services for intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence.
UNFPA is working to support the government to restore and expand critical services to protect women and girls. In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, which has been heavily shelled, underground maternity units are being constructed and stocked with essential equipment , such as newborn mobile incubators and ventilators, to save the lives of mothers and their babies. Similar bomb-proofed maternity hospitals in the southern city of Kherson and northeastern city of Sumy now allow women to give birth safely during air raids. UNFPA also delivers vital pharmaceutical supplies to maternity hospitals in conflict-affected areas and supports gynaecological surgery rooms designed for women with disabilities. In hard-to-reach areas, UNFPA participates in inter-agency humanitarian convoys to deliver essential assistance, including dignity kits adapted for winter conditions, as well as tailored for older women.
Along with partners, UNFPA has also helped establish shelters and safe spaces for survivors of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, across the country. Psychosocial support teams provide urgently needed care to those affected by trauma. Primary healthcare centres have been strengthened to ensure comprehensive care and referrals, while mobile medical units bring free sexual and reproductive services to remote areas and minority communities, such as Roma. In addition, training programmes support women’s participation in the workforce.
UNFPA has also supported the Government of Ukraine in developing a demographic strategy and continues to provide data and technical expertise to address population, social and humanitarian challenges.
