The Associated Press (“AP News”) reports that from driving tractors or working in coal mines, Ukrainian women are now taking jobs once reserved for men, who are being drafted to the front lines in the war with Russia. Women have also signed up to join the armed forces at a higher rate.
Ukraine’s first female Economy Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, told AP News that “[w]hen the man is mobilized, the woman is mobilized with him as well” and that businesses want to hire again after the initial economic shock of Russia’s full-scale invasion, but the labor force has shrunk. Roughly five (5) million Ukrainians left the country when the war began and another one (1) million are serving in the armed forces.
The AP News article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, as happened with the United States during WWII, Ukrainian women are compelled to step into formerly male-dominated workplaces and jobs to maintain domestic functions and to support the country in its war efforts. Ukrainian women are now increasingly working in industry, mining, construction and military-related production factories, in addition to assuring the well being of children and others who remain at home.
As with the United States 75-80 years ago during WWII, Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine will undoubtedly have a similar effect on Ukrainian women and the role they play from this point forward in Ukraine’s economy. This is not to suggest that Ukrainian women weren’t already involved in the workforce at large, but that the jobs being filled by women have now greatly increased.
Praise God for the strength of women, who carry the load when husbands and family members, including female warriors, leave to serve in the armed forces. Sadly, many loved ones will not return, and many others will return, but will do so with physical, emotional and/or mental injuries. It is not an understatement to use the old adage, ‘war is hell’, because it is.
May God continue to bring all necessary strength, wisdom and favor for those serving in the armed forces of Ukraine, and for the women and others taking care of the children and family members, even when such requires extraordinary efforts, such as working in physically demanding jobs.
The Bible reminds us of the Lord’s counsel, wisdom, power and strength:
Proverbs 8:13-14 (Amplified Bible)
“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil; [p]ride and arrogance and the evil way, [a]nd the perverted mouth, I hate. Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power and strength [emphases mine] are mine.”
