According to Politico, women make up 38% of the workforce at state defence concern Ukroboronprom, and even more work in the private defence sector. In the article, the journalists talked about how women are replacing men who have gone to defend the country.
The need for additional workers is dire. Since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion Ukraine has lost over 30 percent of its labor force due to migration, occupation and mobilisation, Ukraine’s Confederation of Employers has reported.
Valentyna, 40, is deeply involved in the defence industry. She’s the chair of the board of a defence monopolist, which is why the 40-year-old asked that her name be changed for security reasons, fearing she could otherwise be identified by the Russians. She had been back at her job at an arms company for only a few months after taking maternity leave.
Production continued even when the area came under siege and finding food became a problem. People had to share, sometimes eating only an egg per day. Several of the top specialists, including Valentyna’s deputy, volunteered for the war; women and retirees took their places.
“My current staff is mostly very senior. Yes, it’s hard for them to work, but their experience is priceless even though some are 80 years and older,” Valentyna said.
The journalists also spoke to other women who had learnt new professions during the full-scale war. One of them, a military wife, in addition to practicing law, is now engaged in the manufacture of UAVs.