Women For The Future Career Day: A Day That United Ukrainian Women Around New Opportunities
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Women For The Future Career Day is an event dedicated to the career development and employment of Ukrainian women in modern industries. Photo: Women For The Future/Andrii Vashkiv
The full-scale war has significantly affected the economic situation of Ukrainian women. In 2022–2023 alone, more than 1.5 million women lost their jobs, almost twice as many as men during the same period (0.78 million). Around 34% of Ukrainian women are unemployed and have been unable to find work for over a year. In comparison, 66% assess their income level as below average and depend on support from family or the state.*
*Data from a study conducted by UN Women together with the Ukrainian Centre for Social Reforms, with the support of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, and with financial support from the Government of Sweden.
In these circumstances, professional development has become not just a choice but a necessity. That is why UN Women and Happy Monday launched the Women For The Future initiative, which created a safe and supportive space where women could find new opportunities.
As part of the initiative, the Women For The Future Career Day took place on 15 November in Kyiv. The event was dedicated to the career development and employment of Ukrainian women in modern industries. It brought together more than 450 women from across Ukraine, each with different experiences. Still, they are united by the desire to learn about professional development opportunities in today’s conditions, meet employers in person, and connect with other talented specialists.
“The Women For The Future initiative has become a true symbol of resilience and solidarity among Ukrainian women. Since 2022, over 80,000 women have chosen courage over fear, gaining new skills, building careers, and rediscovering confidence in their futures. This is what empowerment looks like in practice: when women support women, when mentorship and opportunity meet, and when partnerships work hand in hand for change. Today’s Career Day is both a celebration and a new beginning, a reminder that together, we are building a Ukraine where every woman has the power to choose, to work, to lead, and to thrive,” said Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine.
Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine. Photo: Women For The Future/Andrii Vashkiv
The Women For The Future Career Day program featured short lectures, moderated discussions on relevant career opportunities and adapting to the labor market, a keynote on future trends and competencies, a panel on career shifts, a series of 15-minute honest talks on balancing roles, overcoming self-sabotage, and working in multiple directions, as well as a conversation on women’s development in large companies. The event concluded with “stories of strength” from mentors and alumnae of Women For The Future.
Recordings of all main-stage sessions are publicly available and can be viewed on the Happy Monday YouTube channel.
Anna Mazur, Founder and CEO of Happy Monday. Photo: Women For The Future/Andrii Vashkiv
“Every woman who joined Women For The Future has her own story, difficult, deeply personal, yet united by the shared desire to move forward. We created this initiative not to give ready-made solutions but to provide support: a community, mentorship, knowledge, and belief that change is possible even in the toughest times. Career Day once again showed how many Ukrainian women keep going, keep learning, seek new paths, and build their professional futures despite the war. And our task is to stand beside them and strengthen their path,” said Anna Mazur, Founder and CEO of Happy Monday.
Alongside the educational and inspirational program, guests could also visit the employer fair, where 13 companies from various sectors, including agriculture, IT, consulting, retail, and others, met participants, shared information about open roles, and invited them for express interviews. Among the employers were MHP, OKKO, OBRIO, Silpo, Vodafone Ukraine, Precoro, Forvis Mazars, PwC, Happy Monday, KPMG Ukraine, GIZ, Headway, and EY.
A separate part of the event was the Career Expo Zone, where employers talked about vacancies, got to know participants, and answered questions, helping to find the best opportunities for professional growth. Photo: Women For The Future/Andrii Vashkiv
For many women, this was the first in-person interaction with employers after long months of remote work or a break from professional activity.
“We are here to increase KPMG’s visibility in the labor market, to meet candidates, and to understand what’s happening in the market today. It was valuable to learn about the needs of modern women who are looking for work and to talk with colleagues and partners. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this event,” shared Yaroslava Tereshchenko, representative of KPMG in Ukraine.
But the greatest value of the event was the warm atmosphere, human-centered, filled with a sense of support. Participants exchanged contacts as easily as they inspired one another. New connections and sometimes future projects were born. It became clear: Ukrainian women are not just looking for jobs; they are creating their own future.
“I am here at the Women For The Future Career Day with my daughter, Olesia. She’s 5. As an ambassador of combining career and motherhood, I’m truly happy that more Ukrainian companies and organizers are considering the needs of parents. While I focused on my own development, Olesia had a wonderful time in the children’s area. I am incredibly grateful to Happy Monday and partners for this opportunity,” said Alina Stodolinska, Women For The Future mentor.
The friendly networking atmosphere allowed each participant to find support, new contacts, and valuable advice. Photo: Women For The Future/Andrii Vashkiv
Women For The Future Career Day reaffirmed that when women have opportunities, support, and community, they can move forward rapidly and uplift their families and communities along the way. And each of their stories is part of a greater story of the country’s recovery.
More information is available on the Women For The Future initiative pages:
The Women For The Future initiative is implemented by Happy Monday (NGO “Professionals of the Future”) within the UN Women project titled "Transformational Approaches to Achieving Gender Equality in Ukraine." This project is funded by the Government of Sweden and is in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Financial support for the initiative is also provided by the Government of France.
Women For The Future: Final Career Day 2022–2025
