"When I get behind the wheel, I know I am in the right place": How She Drives supports women truck drivers

Participants of the She Drives project, who have trained as truck drivers during practical lessons for obtaining Code 95. Photo: She Drives/Mariia Poshyvailo

In Ukraine, the profession of truck driver has long remained almost exclusively male. At the same time, a shortage of personnel in logistics, changes in the labor market, and demand for equal access to professions are opening new opportunities. The She Drives project supports women who have decided to pursue a career in freight transport by providing access to training, obtaining a Code 95 endorsement, and joining a professional community.

Vira Babii is a She Drives participant who proves every day that being a truck driver is about confidence, responsibility, and love for the road, but not stereotypes. Photo: She Drives/Vitalii Shevelev

Vira Babii (51) worked as a village head before entering logistics. She learned about the opportunity for women to train for a Category C license from a friend and decided to apply. The competition was intense, with over a thousand candidates, but Vira was selected, completed the training, and later even obtained a Category CE license.

"After driving a car, a truck seemed like a challenge, but thanks to a good driving school and instructors, the training went quite smoothly," she recalls.

Today, Vira works as a truck driver for MHP-Logistics, making trips across almost all of Ukraine. An important step in her professional development was training through She Drives and obtaining Code 95, which opens access to international transportation. "Getting Code 95 was my dream. It’s a chance to grow further in my profession," she explains.

At the same time, the job has its challenges: night trips, a lack of equipped parking for large vehicles, and navigation issues. "What inspires me is the road, the wheel, and the sense of responsibility. When you deliver the cargo on time, and the vehicle is in good condition, it gives a feeling of satisfaction," Vira adds.

Valentyna Chernova is a She Drives participant who deliberately changed her career path to become a truck driver. Photo: She Drives/Vitalii Shevelev

For Valentyna Chernova (42), the decision to become a truck driver was a conscious career shift. She already held a Category C license, and obtaining a CE license became an opportunity to change her professional path. "I’m 42 now, and this is the first job in my life that I chose consciously, of my own free will," says Valentyna.

After completing the training, she was immediately employed at MHP-Logistics. Clear working conditions, a mentorship system, and a flexible schedule that allows her to balance work with family responsibilities have been very important to her. "For me, this is the ideal option because I have children, and it’s important for me to have time for them," she explains.

Among the challenges, Valentyna mentions the technical condition of the fleet and the dependence of income on mileage. At the same time, she emphasizes the importance of company support in difficult situations. “I love the road, I love cars. It gives me a sense that I am exactly where I belong,” she says.

Olha Bahliuk (31) is a She Drives participant who shows that experience, inner courage, and community support can transform a professional path. Photo: She Drives/Mariia Poshyvailo

Olha Bahliuk (31) has many years of driving experience, from cars to pickups. After obtaining Category C and CE licenses, she worked for six months as a truck driver in a logistics company, making trips across Ukraine. For her, participating in She Drives was a natural step in her professional growth.

"For me, Code 95 is an opportunity for development and access to international transportation," Olha explains. She also pays special attention to the balance between work and rest in the transport sector. In her view, observing work and rest schedules should be a priority for both companies and state road safety policies.

Despite differences in age and experience, all three participants confirm that truck driving requires responsibility, support, and access to quality training. Thanks to She Drives, women gain access to training, professional certification, and support at the start of their careers. In contrast, companies gain practical experience in implementing more inclusive approaches to workforce preparation and organization. The project demonstrates how investments in equal access to professions simultaneously strengthen women’s economic capacity and contribute to the modernization of Ukraine’s logistics sector.