The full-scale war in Ukraine has left its mark not only on the physical, but also on the emotional and psychological landscape of Ukrainians’ lives. In communities that have become epicenters of fighting or shelters for those who lost their homes, the need for support grows every day — support that helps people overcome trauma, cope with stress, and find inner strength to move forward. In such conditions, psychosocial assistance becomes an essential part of both survival and recovery.
The war has exposed gender challenges in a particularly acute way: violence has intensified, and the vulnerability of women, LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, and other groups whose voices are often unheard has deepened. Inclusive psychosocial initiatives are emerging as tools to confront these problems, creating new models of support in times of crisis.
This network of psychosocial initiatives brings together activists and specialists from across Ukraine, forming a space of feminist solidarity where projects are born that connect local experience with global human rights ideas. These initiatives amplify the voices of those seeking justice, protection, and change.
In this article, we will introduce you to two non-governmental organizations — “Terne bersha,” which supports women and girls in the Pantaivka community, and “Buty,” which works with women who have experienced loss due to the war, as well as the individual initiative of Liudmyla Martyniuk, aimed at supporting girls through sports activities. Their projects have been supported by the Ukrainian Feminist Network for Freedom and Democracy, which prioritizes ensuring that women and girls feel the strength of community and develop a sense of self-confidence.
“Terne bersha”: Psychosocial Support and Skills Development for Women and Girls in the Pantaivka Community
In today’s difficult conditions, supporting mental health and developing activist skills among women and girls have become especially important. The organization Terne bersha in the Pantaivka community combines these two areas, creating a space for mutual support, growth, and inspiration among representatives of different groups, including the Roma community.
Currently, Terne bersha is working to strengthen psychosocial support, activist skills, and networking among politically active women and girls in the community. The team’s project developed the organizational skills of self-help groups and youth council members through art therapy and other forms of support.
The history of this initiative began back in 2021, when the Pantaivka community became part of a pilot project of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund. At that time, self-help groups were formed, uniting women and girls of different ages, from 18 to 59, with the majority being 35+. Thanks to the second wave of grants, more young girls under 35 were involved
The head of the organization, Kostiantyn Musenko, shared that thanks to this initiative, women and girls in the community gained more opportunities for non-formal education, personal development, and active participation in community life. They also gained knowledge about how to implement their own projects. During the events, they learned more about their rights, available opportunities, and the importance of caring for their own health. Participants received useful information on how to practice self-care, prevent emotional burnout, find support within the community, and make informed decisions about their well-being. As a result, the women and girls became more confident, active, emotionally resilient, and united. They are ready to defend their rights and support one another.
In the self-help groups, women shared that they often face emotional and physical fatigue, loneliness, lack of support and confidence. Some found it difficult to access growth opportunities or to understand how to bring their ideas to life within the context of a small community.
“We created safe and comfortable places where they could talk freely, share their experiences and get support. At these meetings, women gained useful information, connected more closely with each other, and found the strength and motivation to take action,” Musenko noted.
The team also set up a barrier-free gynecological cabinet for community residents and held a series of seminars in schools on sexual and reproductive health.
The women and girls with whom the initiative worked provided lighting in one of the villages and set up a barrier-free sanitary area, making the community more comfortable and safer for everyone. Currently, five self-help groups are active there, bringing together women from different parts of the Pantaivka community.
Over the period of two grant rounds, the organization’s team conducted media literacy trainings for girls and further equipped the youth space they had previously created. This space has become an important platform for youth development and interaction.
Even before the full-scale invasion, there was an attempt to create a Youth Council within the Pantaivka Settlement Council, but at that time, only one application was submitted. Later, in 2024, Terne bersha tried to rectify this situation by launching an information campaign and leadership development trainings for young people, initiating a renewed process of establishing such a council, and supporting it at every stage. As a result, 19 people joined the Youth Council, including 12 young women, three of whom are members of the Roma community.
Moreover, Kostiantyn emphasized the role of art and art therapy in restoring the psycho-emotional well-being of women and girls during the war. According to him, creativity helps express emotions, relieve tension, and restore the inner resources needed for action.
“Through drawing, some women and girls were able to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, regain confidence, and restore faith in their own strength. For the organization, it was important not only to provide knowledge but also to create a space where participants could distract themselves from anxious thoughts and feel the support of others,” he said.
As a result of the project, the girls completed training on event organization and resource mobilization. Afterward, with support, they independently organized five art therapy sessions for girls and women in four settlements of the community. In addition, they initiated the creation of five murals in the same settlements, with all interested women and girls taking part in the process.
The organization is currently looking for resources to continue and scale the project. It is ready to share its experience with other organizations, build partnerships, and plans to significantly expand and renew the composition of self-help groups, broaden the project’s geography, and increase the inclusion of different social groups.
Terne bershaalso aims to support the activity of girls and women from the villages of Yasynuvatka, Dykiivka, Bandurivka, and Pantaivka through art therapy. This will help improve their psycho-emotional condition and strengthen the community as a whole by creating a space for creativity, growth, and mutual support.
Supporting Girls through Sports and Healthcare
In conditions of constant stress, trauma, and change, it is important to create programs that not only help restore the body but also strengthen inner resources, teach self-worth, and empower people to face life’s challenges with renewed strength.
Such is the initiative of Liudmyla Martyniuk — a coach, athlete, mother of twins, and active volunteer who has been working with girls and women in Zhytomyr for more than 14 years. Her main goal is to improve the physical health and psychological well-being of those who need special attention, particularly girls from vulnerable groups.
Liudmyla actively collaborates with the city council and participates in social projects, including “Cosmic Run,” “Half Marathon,” and “Wild Race.” For several years now, she has also been a coach at the women’s social center “Vilna,” where she provides support to those in need of rehabilitation and motivation.
Liudmyla’s project was aimed at teenage girls who found themselves in difficult life circumstances. This includes children without parental care, children who have lost one parent, children from foster families, and those whose parents are registered with social services due to vulnerable circumstances. She noted that the war, stress, adaptation to new families, and studying pressures have significantly worsened their health — problems with the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and heart. That is why sports activities and support for each other are not just a physical activity for them, but an important part of the treatment and rehabilitation process.
Today, during the war, the vast majority of people are under stress, and physical training is one of the most effective ways to reduce it.
“When we experience stress, the first thing that reacts is our body. It begins to contract, and blockages appear. By working on the body physically, we can create a chain reaction that helps release stress,” the coach explains.
The project plan included motivational meetings, opportunities for participants to get to know one another, and a series of 27 sessions in Pilates, stretching, fitness, yoga, and back flexibility exercises. The program combined physical training with meditation, sound healing, and psycho-emotional recovery exercises.
In the end, participants received tools for independent practice at home — clothing, mats, sets of exercises, and links to meditations to continue practicing on their own.
“Sometimes you need to show them another world, try to pull them out of the place where they felt emotionally shut down. I hope I managed to do that, at least a little,” added Liudmyla.
The project ended with a final meeting where the girls shared their experiences and plans for the future. Liudmyla’s initiative is a vivid example of how, through sports and care, it is possible to create a safe space where women and girls receive not only physical support but also strengthen their belief in themselves. Her work demonstrates how important it is, even during war, not to overlook the needs of the most vulnerable and to support them through solidarity, activity, and care.
“Buty”: Psychosocial Support for Women Affected by the War
In the context of war, Ukrainian women become the main pillars of their families and communities. Given this, mental health support and the ability to speak openly about loss and pain are crucial for restoring their strength and hope. The NGO Buty creates a platform of support for women who have experienced loss due to the war and works to overcome the stigma associated with grief.
The organization’s team helps people find support and understanding during difficult times, creating a space where painful and vulnerable topics can be spoken about without fear. At Buty, they emphasize: experiencing grief is normal, and the organization’s mission is to ease the pain and seek a way out of the darkness of sorrow together. Through educational activities and informational support, participants learn how to process loss consciously, work through emotions, and take care of their mental health.
Due to various losses — the death of loved ones, the loss of home, or the loss of a familiar way of life — women often lack the opportunity to take care of themselves. This is one of the biggest challenges, as lack of time, knowledge about self-help tools, and lack of social support make self-care unattainable. However, in wartime, this is a need as basic as sleep, food, and rest.
That is why Buty, as an organization supporting people in grief, constantly emphasizes the importance of caring for mental health. It organizes support circles where women receive basic self-care tools, build resilience, and preserve their psycho-emotional well-being. Art therapy sessions help participants accept loss, acquire self-help tools, and become more resilient in the face of the challenges of war. When needed, additional individual consultations are provided, and for a broader audience, useful materials are distributed, including the “Self-Care Diary in Loss and Grief.”
The head of the organization, Kristina But, explained that the team combines a wide range of approaches in their work: elements of body-oriented therapy, symboldrama psychotherapy, art and photo therapy, music therapy, farewell rituals, and legacy projects. Altogether, this creates a wide range of tools, ensuring that each woman can find what works best for her and helps restore her inner resources.
“We work for women, with women, and about women, and our key principle is solidarity. Mutual support, unity, and collective care allow participants to feel heard, be there for one another, and find a shared path to recovery,” she explained.
Butycreates a safe space where women can process grief, develop their own rituals of support and art therapy, restore connection with themselves, and find inner strength. This benefits not only the women themselves but also their families and communities, making a significant contribution to Ukraine’s recovery and mental health care today and in the future.
Strength in Action: Support and Growth in Wartime Realities
Psychosocial initiatives that work with women and girls during the war face numerous challenges every day. One of the biggest is the lack of resources, both financial and human. Without sufficient funding, teams cannot expand their support, reach more people, or create new spaces for growth. Working in wartime realities also means constantly worrying about physical safety and maintaining the trust of those seeking help.
In addition, the stigma surrounding issues of mental health, loss, and violence often forces women to remain silent and not seek support. It is especially difficult to engage different groups — internally displaced persons, girls with disabilities, LGBTQI+ people, and women from national and religious communities — since each of them has unique needs and experiences. Emotional burnout among activists and psychologists working in such challenging conditions also regularly becomes an obstacle to stable and sustained work.
For these initiatives to continue developing, they need more support. Funding is required to cover basic needs, organize new activities, and engage professionals. Training for the teams is also crucial, so that they better understand the diversity of experiences and are prepared to work with each woman and girl individually. And it is equally important to spread the word about their work to overcome stereotypes and prejudices and inspire more people to get involved in making a difference.
Feminist solidarity is the strong foundation that helps us stay together at all times. Supporting women in their pursuit of equality, safety, and self-realization is an investment in a better future for all of Ukraine. Each initiative, each club, and each group is living proof that even in wartime, it is possible to create spaces of strength, warmth, and new opportunities.
Yana Radchenko