Meet the women saving lives on Ukraine's front line

26 Jul 2024

UNFPA News

Meet the women saving lives on Ukraine’s front line

Olena Hryshanina provides crucial care in emergencies. © UNFPA Ukraine/Masha Kholodziinska

26 July 2024

The war in Ukraine continues to take a heavy toll on millions of women and girls, as well as on those providing essential services on the front line and beyond.

Find out what motivates the women in the health force – people who dedicate their lives to helping others survive, recover and find moments of joy – and hear their personal reflections on life and work during war.

“Despite the war, I want for people to always remain human. To value their lives, value their loved ones, and spend every free minute with their dearest and nearest. We do not know what will happen tomorrow, whether we will see our family and friends.”

– El’nore Troyan Araz Keesey, paramedic, Luhansk region

El’nore prepares for action. © UNFPA Ukraine/Kseniya Luchysta

“My workdays now stretch endlessly. I cannot pinpoint when they start or end anymore. However, being a doctor has always been my aspiration since childhood.”

– Natalia Myla, obstetrician-gynaecologist, Lviv region

Natalia says she has found her calling. © UNFPA Ukraine/Iryna Sereda

“Every day, I engage in work that inspires me, assisting in bringing new lives into the world. War represents the most significant tragedy.”

– Inna Kukurudza, obstetrician-gynecologist, Vinnytsia region

Inna welcomes new lives while the war continues. © UNFPA Ukraine/Taya Levchenko

“Sometimes it feels like everything is falling apart and there's no escape. But when I meet with internally displaced people and listen to their survival stories, I understand that as long as you and your loved ones are alive, everything else can be resolved.”

– Elmira Ismailova, obstetrician-gynaecologist, Zaporizhzhia region

Elmira says simply listening is part of her job. © UNFPA Ukraine/Kseniya Luchysta

“I am not a hero, I am a medic. Often we are afraid to drive to certain areas. Sometimes, the residents say to us, ‘We just had a shelling this morning. How did you come here, how are you not afraid?’ All I can say is I just love my job, I love people. I am happy to help them as much as I can.”

– Tatiana Putria, nurse, Kherson region

Tatiana’s job takes her close to the front line. © UNFPA Ukraine/Alina Stara

“I’m coping. I understand the nature of difficult psycho-emotional states and when they necessitate medication. I haven’t reached that point yet; I’m doing well in that respect. Although I experience emotional breakdowns at work occasionally, I recover quickly. Everything is OK.”

– Alisa Telegina, obstetrician-gynaecologist, Odesa region

Alisa strives to maintain her well-being despite the war. © UNFPA Ukraine/Stefania Amamdjian

“A girl, around 12 or 13 years old, was severely traumatized after the occupation. Initially, she was too scared to talk to anyone. Our child psychologist spent considerable time with her, helping her to begin the healing process. She started to relax and now aspires to become an emergency doctor.”

– Olena Hryshanina, anesthesiologist-reanimatologist, Kharkiv region

Olena cares for and inspires children living through war. © UNFPA Ukraine/Masha Kholodziinska

“There are moments when you feel discouraged. But then you work, you save lives. People send you pictures of babies to say thank you for a new life. That's when you realize that you are in the right place.”

– Daryna Kucher, obstetrician-gynaecologist, Mykolaiv region

Daryna tends to a newborn in intensive care on the night shift. © UNFPA Ukraine/Yuliya Syrovetnyk

“It's easier for me to work more. The more you work, the less you think about everything around you.”

– Oksana Skrypka, obstetrician-gynaecologist, Chernihiv region

“We are holding on, working, helping. We must! Because what will despair and depression give us? At first, there was some anxiety, but now we have adapted.”

– Oksana Karalash, neonatologist, Chernivtsi region

“I've realized that these dark times can help us reassess our values and see the bright side of people. We should never lose faith in something good.”

– Natalia Tkachuk, obstetrician-gynaecologist, Volyn region

“Each time a new life is born, it reaffirms my belief that everything will be OK. There are moments that fill me with immense joy, regardless of all external factors.”

– Natalia Zbryshchak, obstetrician-gynaecologist, Ternopil region

An exhibition, “Vocabulary of Braveness,” features a number of the images seen here. The photos will be on display at Ukrainian House, Kyiv, from 26 July to 1 August 2024. All portraits have been created by female Ukrainian photographers.

The initiative has been produced as part of the humanitarian response by UNFPA Ukraine, with financial support from the governments of France, Iceland and the Netherlands.

UNFPA is working alongside the Government of Ukraine to restore and expand life-saving reproductive health and protection services. Mobile gynaecological units take health services to women in remote parts of the country, and a maternity unit in Kharkiv ensures that pregnant women have access to emergency obstetric care.