“Oh, you're a girl, but you're so smart.” Ukrainian experts on discrimination and the fight for equal opportunities
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Starting March 1, the Ukrainian House will host the exhibition “Serendipitous Events,” where Ukrainian artists, scientists, and leaders will present joint art projects that “speak” about important issues. The space will become a place of recognition, acceptance, freedom and equality. But we would like the whole world to become like this. In this article, we find out what the “glass ceiling” is and what the situation with gender equality is in our country, based on the stories of women from different fields who have to fight for equal opportunities.
“Glass ceiling” - an invisible barrier
The so-called “glass ceiling” has become a problem for women all over the world. This term first appeared in the 1980s thanks to American feminists. The “glass ceiling” describes an invisible barrier that limits women's career advancement despite their professional qualities and achievements. This barrier is not officially enshrined, but manifests itself through established stereotypes and prejudices that prevent women from reaching senior management positions in various fields.
Ukrainian context of gender inequality
The gender gap in Ukraine remains an urgent social problem. According to the State Statistics Service, in 2021 it decreased to 17.8%, but by 2023 it had increased again to 18.6%. This means that women on average earn almost a fifth less than men in the same position. In politics, the situation is also complicated: in 2019, only 21% of seats in the Verkhovna Rada were held by women, and their share in leadership positions in various sectors was about 23%.
The impact of war on gender inequality
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on the gender balance in the labor market. Due to the mobilization of a large part of the male population and the departure of many women and children abroad, businesses are facing a labor shortage. This has resulted in more active involvement of women and older people in professions that were traditionally considered “male”. For example, women are being trained to drive tractors and trucks, according to Reuters.
However, despite these changes, stereotypes and pay inequality persist. The Government of Ukraine, together with international partners, is implementing programs to retrain and support women in various sectors of the economy in an effort to reduce the gender gap and overcome the glass ceiling.
Initiatives leading to change
“Serendipitous Events is an initiative that brings together women of different professions and promotes gender equality through art and innovation. On March 1, the results of these collaborations will be presented at Ukraine House. The participants - scientists, roboticists, and artists - shared their stories about the barriers they face and the ways to make changes in their fields.
Photo: agency and NGO Port of Culture
Olena Kompaniets, a scientist, spokesperson for the Main Astronomical Observatory of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, science promoter among children and volunteer, has repeatedly faced gender stereotypes. She says:
“I still often hear things like: “Oh, you're a girl, but you're so smart,” or ”Oh, that's your female logic.” Women are not breeding factories, they have their own ambitions, desires and dreams. And I hope that someday we will reach a level of development when society will pay attention to professionalism and achievements, not to whether you are a man or a woman.”
Speaking about education, Olena emphasizes the importance of popularizing science among the youngest: “We have repeatedly heard about the various stereotypes that children are told at school. And it's not just about “male” and “female” professions, but also about “there are no scientists in Ukraine, so there is no one to listen to.” We need to continue to popularize science among the youngest Ukrainians so that they can choose a job they will love.”
Olga Zota, CEO of UkraineRobotics, developer of hexapod robots (robots with six legs that are highly maneuverable), notes that women in technology have to fight against perception:
“When a woman creates something revolutionary, it is often considered 'frivolous' or just an interesting project, not a complex technological development. While my team and I were working on the Ball, we had to repeatedly explain that it was not just a creative toy, but a full-fledged six-legged robot with inverse kinematics.”
She also emphasizes that in order to make changes in the technology sector, it is necessary to increase the visibility of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math): “When girls see real-life examples of successful scientists, engineers, and researchers, it not only breaks down stereotypes but also creates a role model effect that boosts their self-confidence.”
Maryna Levchenko is an artist who combines art and technology and speaks about the “glass ceiling” in the cultural sphere:
“Among successful artists, the percentage of men is much higher, although the majority of art students are girls. Ever since I was studying, I've come across statements that the main thing for girls is to get married and have children, and we will paint “for ourselves.”
She emphasizes that biases can be subtle: “When more male artists are mentioned in the information space, this very mention makes them even more famous and widens the gap between them and lesser-known (but no less talented) female artists. That's why media visibility and recognition of women are very important. Sometimes it's a struggle to say “I'm an artist”. So the main thing, in my opinion, is to create conditions where women artists have a voice. The Random Events project gives women a voice and an opportunity to hear each other. This is incredibly valuable.”
Equality as the norm, not the exception
Initiatives such as “Serendipitous Events” are helping to overcome gender stereotypes and barriers that have limited women in the professional environment for decades. However, the reality remains challenging: unequal pay, underrepresentation of women in leadership positions, and a constant need to prove their competence. Changes are already underway, but they require not only personal efforts, but also social restructuring, from education to legislation. Equal opportunities are not about “concessions” or “quotas,” but about basic justice, which should become the norm, not the exception.
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This material was created within the framework of the “Serendipitous Events” initiative implemented by the agency and the NGO Port of Culture within the framework of the EU for Gender Equality: Together Against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence (Phase 2) program. The project is implemented jointly with UN Women Ukraine and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, with funding from the European Union.