Olena Tsiva, CEO of the Lika Comfort company: “Gender equality is a competitive advantage”

“Gender equality is a competitive advantage,” explains Olena Tsiva. “Because investing in women and their career growth directly contributes to business development,” said Olena Tsiva CEO and co-owner of the Lika Comfort company. Photo: UN Women/Stas Kartashov

The full-scale war has stimulated the transition of women into professional fields that were previously dominated by men. Today, women are working as engineers, machine operators, bus and truck drivers, and more. But are they becoming experts in the field of climate technologies? This is something that interests the Lika Comfort company, which is working to change the labor market in this industry.

Lika Comfort operates in what may seem like a traditionally "male" domain, particularly air conditioning, ventilation systems, and heat pumps. However, the company believes that professions have no gender and actively involves women in its work and training programs. Lika Comfort launched the first climate school in Zakarpattia, Lika Climate School, which trains both men and women in professions such as installers, technicians, and sales managers of climate equipment.

Like all Ukrainian businesses, the company operates under difficult wartime conditions. According to Olena Tsiva, CEO and co-owner of Lika Comfort, the main challenges now are preserving jobs, supporting staff, and creating opportunities for their development. This especially applies to women, who receive particular attention within the company. Lika Comfort strives to create comfortable working conditions for them, offers flexible work schedules, and supports career growth. So far, five women at the company have already received their long-awaited promotions. The company also covers the cost of psychological support for its female employees.

Lika Comfort has launched educational grants, which three women have already received. The company has also implemented a gender equality policy aimed at supporting and protecting female employees, including from gender-based violence.

Practical training for female installers on the installation, dismantling, and maintenance of air conditioners. Photo: courtesy of the Lika Comfort company

“Gender equality is a competitive advantage,” explains Olena Tsiva. “Because investing in women and their career growth directly contributes to business development.”

The company also works to help women outside the organization. Lika Comfort collaborates with the Employment Center, offering job opportunities and training to women who have lost their jobs. As a result, three women have already tried their hand at becoming installation technicians.

“Education changes lives. Women can master non-traditional professions and find new opportunities in every field without exception. And we are proving that,” says Olena Tsiva.

Lika Comfort is also working to change the approach to professions starting from student years. The company partners with vocational and other educational institutions in Mukachevo and Uzhhorod to encourage girls to pursue technical careers. One vocational school in Mukachevo has already introduced a new technical specialty: installer of ventilation, air conditioning, pneumatic transport, and aspiration systems.

Presentation of a new brand of air conditioner, ESSA. The team of the event organizers. Photo: courtesy of the Lika Comfort company

For a year of implementing the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), the company improved its self-assessment results from 15% to 49%, demonstrating the effectiveness of its gender equality initiatives.

What’s next?
Lika Comfort has set itself a new ambitious goal. The company has outlined a development plan for the next two years, which includes the following objectives:

• Implement a non-discrimination policy and ensure equal opportunities for all employees.
• Launch an awareness campaign on gender equality for employees, including social videos to prevent sexism and discrimination.
• Ensure equal pay for equal work.
• Improve physical and psychological working conditions for women.
• Analyze women’s career growth and strengthen this direction.
• Collaborate with educational institutions, run marketing campaigns, and promote the WEPs among Zakarpattia-based businesses.

“We are building a company where women can grow, feel comfortable, and build a career. When everyone has equal opportunities, not only does business benefit, but society does too. We will continue to support women and create conditions for their success,” concludes Olena Tsiva.

This article is prepared as part of the initiative "Empowering Women in Business" within the UN Women’s project “Transformative approaches to achieving gender equality in Ukraine,” with financial support from Sweden and in cooperation with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.