In the shadow of big cities, loud media stories, and reports on international aid, there is another side of the struggle – quiet, constant, and almost invisible. These are the villages where, despite the war, evacuation, lack of access to healthcare, or reliable transportation, life not only continues but is often carried on the shoulders of women. They may not always have connections or resources, but they always have responsibilities: for elderly parents, children, livestock, gardens, schools, neighbors, and the entire community.
Rural women in Ukraine have long carried out a vast amount of invisible work. They organize meals at schools, collect aid for the frontline, care for the lonely, support internally displaced people (IPDs), and unite villagers when everything is lost. Their efforts frequently come without a title or position, are absent from official reports, and rarely appear on discussion panels. Yet they form the backbone of survival in the most critical moments.
With the onset of the full-scale invasion, the role of rural women became even more critical, as they took on the roles of logisticians, communicators, psychologists, and aid coordinators.
Nevertheless, public attention and resources continue to be concentrated around urban initiatives, while the realities of rural communities, including women’s initiatives, remain on the periphery. The lack of focus on these women is not only a matter of justice; it represents the loss of an entire layer of resistance, care, and solidarity that we need to see, recognize, and support.
In this article, the Ukrainian Feminist Network for Freedom and Democracy will highlight two such initiatives and their leaders – Kateryna Bystrytska from LEO and Liubov Sherstyuk from SYLA LYUBOVI (The Power of Love). These stories are about a form of resistance, because rural women are not just “fulfilling their role” but are fighting for equality, access to resources, and safety for themselves and their loved ones. Their experience holds the key to understanding how feminism is born, how it functions in times of crisis, and why local initiatives are indispensable in building a just society.
A Space Where Women Are Not in the Background
Many rural communities in Ukraine still lack safe and accessible places where women can exercise, take care of their health, and simply take time for themselves. Fitness clubs remain mostly an urban “luxury.” For women in villages, especially single mothers, those with health issues, or those caring for elderly relatives, traveling to the district center or paying for a gym membership is often impossible. As a result, taking care of their bodies and emotional well-being remains out of reach for many.
That is why the initiative to create an open-air sports ground for women and girls became a crucial step toward change. It was launched by Kateryna Bystrytska, a volunteer with the LEO Charitable Foundation and its Deputy Director for Administrative Affairs and Grants. The LEO Foundation works closely with rural communities, assisting civilians in the most difficult circumstances – women in villages, single mothers, women with disabilities, elderly women, and IPDs.
Kateryna brings extensive experience in social and humanitarian work. She previously served as coordinator of the Equal Opportunities deputy group in the Poltava City Council and managed projects supporting the integration of IDPs, including the Shelter Poltava initiative. Her approach is both systematic and empathetic: she not only understands the barriers women face on the ground but also knows how to address them through practical steps.
As she works with communities, she has become increasingly aware of the gap between urban and rural areas in terms of women’s rights. According to her observations, rural women are often forced to neglect their own needs due to limited access to basic services, financial constraints, and a constant lack of time. Restricted access to employment typically makes them financially dependent on men, which, in turn, increases the risk of domestic violence.
“A woman’s freedom and independence end where her own money ends. That’s why I always focus on women’s development and self-realization, financial literacy, and self-reliance,” the volunteer explained.
One of the initiatives implemented with the support of the Ukrainian Feminist Network was the creation of an outdoor sports ground with exercise equipment in the village of Gorshchyk in Zhytomyr Oblast. The idea emerged after numerous conversations with local women, who said they had no alternative for exercise except football fields or old horizontal bars. Realizing the economic impracticality of opening a fitness club, Kateryna proposed a more accessible, open-air solution – a community sports ground.
At first, women were too shy to come on their own, so the team organized group workouts with volunteers. This helped them overcome barriers, connect, and find motivation. Now the women train together, support one another, and express gratitude for the opportunity.
“Where others see a problem and a hopeless situation, I look for a solution. I find resources and opportunities to support rural women, write grant applications, and implement projects. I try to show them their own capabilities and strengths, which everyone has, so that they don’t wait for outside help. They aren’t afraid to act but instead take the initiative, unite around a common goal, support one another, and achieve their objectives. I try to inspire by my own example: if I can do it, others can too. I truly believe that,” Kateryna added.
The creation of the playground is not just an infrastructure improvement, but also part of a broader effort to overcome gender inequality in everyday life. Even a few outdoor exercise machines can mark the beginning of positive change, especially in places where opportunities for women’s physical activity have long been absent. They give women who cannot afford to travel or buy gym memberships, or who need moderate exercise for health reasons, a real opportunity to stay active. They also provide a space for those who simply want a place where they do not have to justify their right to self-care.
Teenagers also benefit from this space, particularly during school holidays, when there are few meaningful leisure options. The initiative is designed with long-term impact in mind: the equipment requires no staff to operate, and with proper care, it can serve the community for years.
Kateryna and her colleagues are not seeking recognition. Their actions are an example of invisible leadership that is not publicized, but changes local realities every day.
When There Is Something to Stay Silent About, but Finally Someone to Talk To
In three small communities of Poltava Oblast – Novoselivska, Nekhvoroshchanska, and Martynivska – issues of gender equality and preventing violence had long remained undiscussed. Not because these topics did not affect women, but because there was a lack of language, space, and knowledge to address them. Here, it is common not to complain but to remain silent, especially amid war, uncertainty, and economic instability. And still, despite these challenges, initiatives are taking root and starting to change the situation. An example is an initiative that united education, dialogue, and research, realized by the NGO The Power of Love under the guidance of Liubov Sherstyuk.
In each of the three communities, six offline trainings for girls and women were held, featuring an informal atmosphere, coffee breaks, and lively discussions. In total, 60 participants took part. The program concluded with a joint gathering of women leaders in a hybrid format, making it possible for as many people as possible to take part. Alongside the trainings, an analytical study – Opportunities and Challenges for Women in Rural Communities, was also carried out.
The previous survey uncovered a number of disturbing things that were intuitively felt but have now been confirmed. Women, especially young women, have a low level of knowledge about their rights, do not understand what “gender” or “stereotypes” are, and do not know where to seek help in case of violence. Many of them recognized that they were experiencing domestic violence, but did not know how to act. Some did not believe they could be heard, others were unable or afraid to speak out in public, look for a job, or write a resume. Among them were displaced women who had nowhere to return to and were searching for a foothold to rebuild their lives, yet lacked the necessary support.
Liubov Sherstyuk herself spoke about the lack of basic knowledge among women. She noted that the team was amazed at how little even members of local executive committees knew about gender issues.
“What struck me most was that people had virtually no knowledge of gender issues, and even less about gender-based violence,” she said.
The trainings also offered individual support. For women who wanted to change professions, develop their ideas, or escape violent environments, the team designed step-by-step action plans, prepared document templates, and provided mentoring. This approach not only delivered information but also helped participants take concrete steps forward.
After the main stage ended, the Power of Love team secured additional funding to stay connected with participants. The women formed communities, created Viber groups, kept in touch, exchanged experiences, and even launched new projects. In one community, women successfully won a mini-grant and are already working on fresh initiatives together with the organization.
“We had just brought them together, their eyes were shining, it was very important not to lose that moment. In such a short time and with a minimal budget, we managed to achieve our goal: to raise knowledge levels and strengthen women’s capacity,” Sherstyuk said.
The project implemented by Power of Love was about more than education. It was a targeted intervention in an environment where support was lacking. After the trainings, participants began sharing information with others and discussing topics that had long been kept silent. Women in these communities stepped forward, ready to join advisory bodies, write grant applications, and launch their own initiatives. Some, for the first time, clearly articulated their plans, interests, and boundaries. For many, it was the first time they felt they had both the right and the power to act.
The project also strengthened the organization itself. Women from other communities began reaching out, trust deepened, and networks expanded. Most importantly, new voices emerged within the communities, voices that are now speaking with greater confidence.
They Don’t Wait for the Moment – They Create It Themselves
In public discourse, rural women are often portrayed as those who “need help”. But that image does not reflect reality. In truth, it is usually they who organize help for others, for the entire community. They don’t wait, they don’t file official requests, they don’t write open letters. They simply take action.
Some create safe spaces for women to gather and talk. Others find resources to build a sports ground. Some lead trainings, explain how to break the cycle of violence, or support displaced women who don’t know where to begin a new life. All of this happens without cameras, without a stage, without promotion, but it tangibly moves the community forward.
These initiatives are no less important than large-scale projects in regional centers or the capital. They are grounded, timely, and accurate. They respond to real needs: for silence, for safety, for resilience, for access to the basics. And often, they are the very things that hold a community together when everything else is unstable.
Without these women, neither small villages nor big cities would survive. Because their action is not a reaction to the crisis, but an ability to keep people connected.
The women in these stories, Kateryna Bystrytska and Liubov Sherstyuk, live in different places and work in different contexts. However, their experience is common. Each of these initiatives shares the same feeling: something has to be done, because otherwise no one will do it.
What unites them is not a concept, but action. This is feminism not in theory, but in daily choices: to support another woman, to create a safe space, to speak up when silence hurts, to take responsibility – even when no one asked. It is care not as a personality trait, but as a way to influence reality.
These women often do not call themselves feminists. But they are the ones who embody what this word stands for: equality, dignity, and community. They do not wait for “better conditions” or rely on big budgets. They work with what they have and with those around them. This is solidarity.
They may remain invisible, but the impact of their actions cannot be ignored.
Yana Radchenko