Military actions in Ukraine exposed deep-rooted wounds in society, among them the systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities. Beyond constant shelling, occupation, and forced displacement, they also face limited access to basic needs such as medical care, evacuation routes, and social support. These individuals have found themselves at the epicenter of struggles, where physical limitations intersect with the psychological pressure of the war. Thus, unique but very often invisible barriers occur.
Women with disabilities feel these struggles particularly acutely. Their vulnerability is compounded not only by physical limitations, but also by gender stereotypes and social isolation. The risks of violence, discrimination, and social estrangement increased with the war; thus, the voices of women have fewer and fewer chances to be heard. Support that takes into consideration gender sensitivity became more than just a tool of help, but an act of justice, making this fight valid.
Barrier-free inclusion goes far beyond ramps and accessible buildings. It means creating a society where every person, regardless of their physical or social circumstances, has the right to dignity, self-realization, and protection. Local initiatives are a crucial part of this process as far as they are creating the spaces where people with disabilities are seen, and their needs are taken into consideration.
These initiatives display that human rights activism and feminism are not parallel, but a joint fight for equality. By supporting women with disabilities, they are building bridges of mutual support that form the foundation for stronger and fairer communities.
This article is about the initiatives of Kateryna Kapusta and NGO “On Equals”, particularly how they function in the realities of the war, break the barriers, and change the lives of people with disabilities. Their projects received support from the Ukrainian Feminist Network for Freedom and Democracy, an organization that amplifies women’s voices and fosters community change. This article is about feminist solidarity and the human rights movement becoming the main force in the process of creating a more inclusive society, even in the darkest times.
Psycho-emotional support and leadership skills for teenage girls in Kryvyi Rih
The challenges faced by teenage girls, especially those from vulnerable groups, require the creation of safe spaces for development, self-expression, and realizing their potential. In Kryvyi Rih, where the social and psychological needs of young people from outlying districts are often overlooked, Kateryna Kapusta’s initiative became an important step in supporting girls who aspire to be leaders and active members of their community.
Kateryna is the founder and psychologist of the “OPEN SPACE — friendly and creative space for your growth”. The space is based on the principles of informal education for kids, youth, and adults, particularly people with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and their families. She coordinates a youth leadership movement in the Ternivskyi district, mentors student governments and young activists, supports charity and humanitarian projects, and integrates psychosocial programs into the city’s education system.
One of her key initiatives is a club for teenage girls that combines group support with individual consultations for survivors of violence (including gender-based violence), girls with disabilities, and IDPs. The program also includes coaching sessions, leadership workshops, and activities that encourage young women to take initiative.
Another important part of the club is joint social activities initiated by the very members of the club. These activities allow participants to practice leadership, gain hands-on experience, and feel their own value as they contribute to community change.
Through this project, Kateryna successfully supported the development of young women’s leadership. She organized eight club meetings with 10 teenage girls (including girls with disabilities and IDPs), held 20 individual psychological consultations, facilitated a social activity that reached around 300 local residents, and published a series of social media posts to raise awareness.
The goal of the initiative was to form values of women’s leadership, to give them tools for social activism, to educate them about resisting violence and creating a community of the leaders-girls in Kryvyj Rig.
“The program of the club in the formation was very flexible; we took into consideration the needs and requests of the participants. We adapted the topics as the program was going on. Also, sometimes we paid more attention to some topics and provided material for separate work at home. This allowed the educational process to be as useful and alive as it could be”, Kateryna said.
She notes that the project brought together girls from very different backgrounds: from student government leaders to survivors of domestic or social violence. The feedback from those who had previously felt excluded was especially valuable.
“They felt accepted and trusted with important stuff here for the first time in their lives. They were told to as to equals and not from the top of the hierarchy”, Kateryna explained.
According to her words, after participating in the club, girls became more active, started taking more initiative, and for the first time in their lives felt total acceptance by the group. Some of them were even more engaged than the girls with the previous leadership experiences.
Kateryna particularly mentions the story of the participant J., who survived sexual and psychological violence.
“After the club, this girl became more active with her artwork, won some art contests, and, by her own words, felt confident in her own ability. She understood that she deserves only the best and started going in the direction of her dreams”.
Another example is participant V, who, for the first time, dared to speak with her mother about the psychological violence she had endured. She received individual counseling and ultimately decided she wanted to become a psychologist to help others.
The girls didn’t stop after the program ended. They created their own initiative called “Ambassadors of Safety”, holding lessons and informal meetings with peers and parents about gender equality and preventing violence. They later participated in a major city open-air event, where they hosted interactive spaces for Kryvyi Rih residents and visitors.
Thus, the club became not only a space of psychological support, but more like a trampoline for the activities, new projects, and personal transformations of the girls.
“On Equals”: How young women with and without disabilities find support through education and culture
Initiatives that combine education, culture, and psychological support open new possibilities for young people and vulnerable groups, helping them find inner strength and build resilient communities. Non-governmental organization (NGO) “On Equals” creates opportunities for diverse groups of people, where every single person has equal access. The organization intertwines art, education, advocacy, and research to amplify the voices of socially vulnerable groups — people with disabilities, veterans, women, IDPs, and youth. Furthermore, the goal is to transform social thinking about culture and social initiatives. According to 2024 research, over 45% of women report heightened stress, nearly half acknowledge the need for psychological support, but only about 10% actually seek help.
As a part of their project “On Equals”, the team organised a two-day retreat, “Strength in me”. This event combined education, workshops with the elements of art therapy, and networking to create a safe space for self-help and mutual support.
The founder of the organization and sociologist, Sofiia Lavreniuk explains that inclusivity and comfort were prioritized from the very beginning. The registration form allowed participants to indicate individual needs, so the program could be adapted. The team also ensured that women with children could participate by preparing a children’s program and nursing spaces. The venue was accessible for people with limited mobility, and coaches and speakers were briefed on inclusive communication. During practical sessions, such as art or movement therapy, alternative formats were offered to accommodate different physical abilities.
“When we started to accept registrations, it was clear that there was a very high need of being in women’s company. We had women and girls of all ages and backgrounds — military women, IDPs, students, people with disabilities. They were all different, but the needs were so common for all”, Sofiia said.
When asked about the reasons to participate in the retreat, women and girls gave some painful, some powerful answers. Some of them wanted to find their community, and some of them needed tools for self-help. A lot of women and girls have been diagnosed with anxiety or emotional burnout. Every day of the retreat started with so so-called a ‘resource circle’ led by a psychotherapist, where fears and struggles were discussed to leave them behind the door, and be able to focus on education and mutual support.
The program included lectures about psychological resilience and how to create a safe space, movement therapy, art therapy, and art performances. It helped to reduce the level of stress, improve emotional condition, and create connections between the participants, which is especially valuable during the war.
Sofia emphasizes that combining creativity, psychology, and culture has always been central to “On Equals”. From its first project, the organization has embraced interdisciplinarity and intersectionality. This approach helps to break barriers and stereotypes, making differences disappear within safe, inclusive spaces.
“We unite people with diverse backgrounds around shared values and curiosity for the unexplored. This approach is alive and it works. Event for the sake of the event itself is not our thing 100%”, co-founder of the organisation Tetyana Solovjova highlighted.
Furthermore, “On Equals” created an online campaign and an illustrated manual on mental health support. This way, information on the importance of mental health could be easily spread. Women and girls can learn in easier and more efficient ways how to support themselves and each other, no matter the struggles of the war.
This initiative is about education, culture, and human rights activism can create spaces where every person will be heard, valued, and important. It proves that mental health is an integral part of personal growth and social well-being, especially in unstable times and episodes of difficult life challenges.
Spaces of acceptance and strength lead to solidarity
The lives of women and girls with disability are challenged by a combination of physical, social, and psychological barriers, and during the war, those are only getting worse. Limitations to the medical and social services, as well as rehabilitation, increased stress because of the military actions, together with discrimination, stereotypes, and domestic violence risk, cause even more additional struggles. In these circumstances, defending their rights, ensuring safety, and providing opportunities for self-realization become critical to dignity and well-being.
Initiatives aimed at such support play a key role in the creation of safe spaces. Thus, the project run by Kateryna Kapusta was an important place for psychological and emotional support and development of young girls, particularly those with disabilities. Extremely significant for them was to be able to express their talents, initiative, and to engage in social activities on equal footing with everyone else. For most of them, the activities in the club were the first step towards the feeling of acceptance and importance, as well as motivation to follow their dreams. Meanwhile, “On Equals” focused more on psychological and social support, creating spaces for education that help women and girls fight the consequences of the war, reduce stress, and build connections.
These initiatives, being on the border of gender inequality and the challenges of disability, provide complex support beyond basic help. They create the communities where participants feel valued, heard, and able to influence their own lives. This approach helps to fight isolation, reduce stigma, and develop inclusivity, which is particularly important in the context of the war.
The results of these projects have a deep impact. Improvements of physical and psychological health, changing the social narratives about vulnerable groups, and forming a culture of mutual respect and solidarity. Thanks to the union of women from different areas and experiences, these initiatives contribute to strengthening such principles as equality and common responsibility for society based on justice, where every person has an opportunity to release their potential.
Support of such projects is a direct contribution to society, where no one is left out. It can be through volunteering, participation in events, or spreading the information. Every step towards an inclusive environment without barriers makes the community stronger. A community that can resist the challenges of the war and build a positive future.
Author: Yana Radchenko