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REPORTING ON WOMEN INFORMAL ECONOMY WORKERS DURING WAR IN UKRAINE

StreetNet has long been present in Ukraine through our affiliate Free Trade Union of Entrepreneurs of Ukraine. When the invasion of Ukraine began, we organized a crowdfunding campaign to support our members in Ukraine. We also, with our partner Cities Alliance, organized a closed-door discussion with women activists, volunteers and civil society representatives who shared testimonies about their current life in Ukraine. That was the discussion that inspired the research we conducted, in partnership with Cities Alliance and WIEGO, the results of which are presented in this page.

Re-building with Women: Amplifying their Voices in Ukraine’s Recovery, a new report by Cities Alliance, StreetNet and WIEGO, looks at how war in Ukraine is impacting women. It features interviews with women who are informally employed or work as small traders. The report highlights the importance of including women’s perspectives in the reconstruction.

WOMEN, WAR & PRECARITY

A snapshot of Ukrainian women’s work in the first 7 months of war

Between July 9th and September 19th, StreetNet International interviewed 18 women who are directly impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to determine how the war is affecting women, their incomes and their well-being. Most of the women were self-employed “individual entrepreneurs” (including one pensioner) when the war began.

MARITAL/FAMILY STATUS, DISPLACEMENT & FEAR

Of the 18 women interviewed, 12 have dependent children and 2 others have grandchildren who depend on them:

10 had left Ukraine, taking refuge in Moldova, Germany, Poland, France and Canada; 9 of the 10 are mothers and their children are with them.
2 of those who left have since returned to Ukraine; one of these is now an internally displaced person (IDP).
6 are IDPs living in Ukraine but away from home for safety; 5 of these are mothers living with children.
3 remain at home in Kyiv, including 2 who have grandchildren depending on them.

Almost all expressed, first and foremost, a concern for the well-being and future of children—their own and others.

“Of course we were very scared when the war started. I was especially worried about the children. I was no longer worried about myself.”

~Tetiana, who earned money as a nanny until she and her family were displaced

Six of the women interviewed indicated that they or their children suffered from psychological distress, due to the danger of war and the difficulties of displacement.

I would suddenly start crying without any specific reason…There is a frightening thought that things will never be the same again.

~Kateryna, a mother with two daughters who fled to Moldova

In one way or another, the war made every family in Ukraine unhappy…A very emotional and painful moment is the separation of the family, leaving my husband and the father of our child…the family should be together regardless of the circumstances.

~Yulia, mother of a 4-year-old who sought refuge in Poland

I don't want to plan anything in advance, because war is scary. I live only one day at a time….I lie down and pray and when I get up, I pray again…

~Anzhela, a trader in Kyiv

INCOME BEFORE & AFTER THE ONSET OF WAR

Prior to February 24, 2022, the women had earned income from trade/sales as registered individual entrepreneurs, as home-based producers of goods or services, and as part-time, informal domestic workers. One was a garment worker (employee) and two had salaried positions. Virtually all of the workers interviewed had experienced a sharp drop in earnings since the beginning of the war.

Before the war, I had a small business... Private trade is an unstable business... I was left without a job after the war started.

~Kateryna, an independent entrepreneur from Kyiv displaced to Doroshivtsi

Most who had some family savings at the outset of war had depleted those reserves. Only three of the married mothers reported that their husbands were still employed and able to provide some support.

The sources of assistance were varied, and many women received support from multiple sources, including from the Ukrainian government (assistance payments for disrupted businesses and payments for IDPs), as well as from church, union and charitable funds. Refugees received support from the United Nations and from their host countries. Two who qualified for support, however, said they chose not to apply.

If before the war I had the opportunity to work four days a week, now I only work one day; the rest of the time I take care of my disabled mother. However, I did not apply for IDP status…there are people who need it more than I do—they have much bigger problems.

~Natalka, a massage therapist from Hostomel now living in Kyiv

MARKET TRADERS SUFFER WHEN THEIR CUSTOMERS DO

Self-employed individual entrepreneurs who made their living trading products, whether in markets, small shops or online, were hard hit. Half lost their businesses entirely because of the war’s impact. The lack of customers and clients, (who had either left Ukraine, gone to fight or were without money to spend) was the most-cited reason.

"I was thinking about whether to resume my work, but the fact is that the clients I worked with have almost all left abroad or are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine…. Since the beginning of the war, I tried and even managed to sell a few things on the internet, but it was only a bit of activity and not that successful."

~ Kateryna, a trader from Kyiv who relocated to western Ukraine

High inflation and destroyed markets also contributed to the loss of earnings. Traders have continued to work, whether in Ukraine or from the countries where they have sought refuge. However, those who sell food and other basic necessities are suffering precisely because their local customers are suffering.

The level of trade has fallen tremendously because prices have risen significantly, which is becoming scary. And what can people buy? They can't buy anything.”

~Anzhela, a vegetable seller from Kyiv who now works as a hired trader

Income source / Type of work before war

Income source / Type of work after war began

The loss of trading income was widespread in Ukraine. The Free Trade Union of Entrepreneurs of Ukraine (VPPU), a StreetNet affiliate, has reported significant losses across its membership.

“According to our information, more than 1,500 members of our trade union went abroad. The workplaces of 3,000 entrepreneurs have been closed, and almost 3,000 more are on the verge of closing and have taken a break. In Kharkiv, entrepreneurs—members of our trade union—at the [bombed] Barabashovo market also lost everything. Not just jobs, but businesses that have supported people over the years.”

~ Valentyna Korobka, individual entrepreneur and VPPU Chairperson

REMOTE WORK AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Work that requires in-person contact was much more likely to be disrupted by war. The informal childcare workers interviewed immediately lost touch with the families who had employed them, and thus lost their income.

As it was during COVID-19 lockdowns, the ability to work remotely over the internet was a big determinant of whether a woman could continue to earn an income.

August did not start very well. This is connected with the economic situation in Ukraine and with fluctuations in the exchange rate, which affects the intensity of orders and sales…. but since the resumption of work, sales volumes did not decrease but even slightly increased.

~Yulia, an individual entrepreneur operating her online shop from Poland

As evidenced by the situation during Covid and now during the war, it is much safer and more convenient to work via the Internet.

~Tasia, an internally displaced small trader in Kyiv

While those who can sell goods online found their businesses could adapt somewhat to their displacement, the supply chain disruptions caused by war have made it difficult.

“Our company did not work for a month and a half. It was allowed to stay afloat by the social benefits provided to the business by the state….It is now in a deficit position. Logistics processes were disrupted. We used to import goods…but now our ports are not working. And delivering goods through the Baltics is too long and quite expensive. And secondly, the exchange rate is unstable, and we will not be able to pay for the delivery when the containers with the goods arrive in Ukraine.”

~ Olena, who sold auto parts in Kyiv but now in Germany, has trained as an accountant

Transferability of skills was also a factor in continued earning potential. The only garment worker interviewed—a high-end seamstress—was able to use her skills to find work sewing uniforms after she arrived in Moldova. Likewise, a salaried pediatrician who had also sought refuge in Moldova quickly found a medical position.

I am very grateful to all the people of Moldova, the government of Moldova, which allowed us Ukrainians with our Ukrainian diplomas to work in our specialty without any additional exams, without any special arrangements. So, it helps us a lot.

~Svitlana, a pediatrician

Home-based workers who made products were also more able to adapt their businesses to a new reality. One, now living in Moldova, has continued to sculpt toys to aid with children’s development and has had early success in finding new clients in Moldova.

Due to the fact that interest in Ukrainian national symbols and interest in traditional embroidery in society is growing, orders for my embroidery, especially with national symbols, are increasing, and this is at least some kind of support for the family

~Oksana, a home-based artisan from Chernihiv now living in Varash

WORKING TO HELP OTHERS

Despite personal hardship and trauma, fully half of the women said they have supported the war effort or helped other civilians. Some have used their existing networks to get aid to civilians in need. Others have ensured supplies get to the soldiers on the front lines.

My daughter and I were among the first to bring everything necessary for the boys to the war….It was at the beginning of the war, when there was a certain chaos, when few people were able to drive to such hot destination points. Now the logistics have improved, more aid is coming to the front line. We load the car, and the guys take everything we need to hot spots….Right now, we have requests from two brigades for more than 1,000 sleeping bags

~Alla, a trader in Kyiv

0 %

Have actively supported the war effort or helped other civilians.

Most women felt that the onset of war had served to unite the people of Ukraine in a common cause. Many shared how they had tried, on an ad hoc basis, to do their part.

When young soldiers were digging trenches under our windows, at a time when there was a firefight in Kyiv and they were preparing for anything, I stood with them and with a sore back also dug and did not complain.

~Kateryna, a trader from Kyiv

I provide services for free to people who really need and require my help.

~Natalka, massage therapist from Hostomel

Trade unions, including the VPPU, have been active in delivering aid.

Members and activists of our trade union, working as volunteers, made a lot of efforts to help socially vulnerable categories of the population….We helped to evacuate children from boarding schools, orphanages. Very often we had to calm down the people who were in despair and suffering from panic attacks. We helped people with information about the nearest bomb shelters. We performed various, difficult kinds of work, at the same time looking at what is being done, at those tiny children who slept in bomb shelters and whom we helped….volunteers sometimes replaced doctors. They helped carry things, had to transport cancer patients. Neither the police nor the ambulance helped them.

~ Valentyna Korobka, VPPU Chairperson who has spent months delivering aid

THE GREATEST NEEDS

Better income and supports—for both people and businesses—were major concerns for almost all women interviewed. Transportation, infrastructure and child care, along with an enabling environment that allows businesses to thrive, were all mentioned many times. But despite an overwhelming sense of optimism that Ukraine will triumph, uncertainty about the future—when the war will end and whether there will be opportunities afterward, was a great concern for most women interviewed.

“...it is not known whether there will be any jobs…. it is better to look for a place where you can feel stable and be able to help yourself and your relatives. Of course, if there is an opportunity to work after the war, I will definitely return home.”

~Olena, who provided childcare in Kyiv until the war displaced her to Moldova

When asked what they felt was most important, the majority offered the same word in their responses: peace.

I really want to hope—and this is main dream of all Ukrainian people, of all mothers in Ukraine—that peace will come as soon as possible.

~Oksana, Varash, Ukraine

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PARTNERS

REPORTING ON WOMEN INFORMAL ECONOMY WORKERS DURING WAR IN UKRAINE

WOMEN, WAR & PRECARITY

MARITAL/FAMILY STATUS, DISPLACEMENT & FEAR

INCOME BEFORE & AFTER THE ONSET OF WAR

MARKET TRADERS SUFFER WHEN THEIR CUSTOMERS DO

Income source / Type of work before war

Income source / Type of work after war began

REMOTE WORK AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

WORKING TO HELP OTHERS

THE GREATEST NEEDS

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