“I want every woman to know she is not alone”: The story of Inna from Sumy, who supports women and girls during the war in Ukraine

Inna Lytvynenko at the NGO “Girls” office in Sumy, where she supports women and girls affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion. August 2025. Photo: UN Women / Denys Kryvopyshyn 

Inna Lytvynenko lives and works in Sumy – a city that, since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has remained dangerously close to the frontline. This is her home, her family, and her community. And when many people were forced to evacuate, Inna made a conscious decision to stay.

Humanitarian response has become part of her everyday life. She works with women and girls who have experienced shelling, loss of housing, forced displacement, violence, and other consequences of the war.  

“I have been working in the humanitarian response field for a little over two years. During this time, I have organised psychosocial support for women and girls, identified their needs, and tried to ensure that assistance was as useful and accessible as possible,” Inna shares.  

Supporting women and girls every day

Inna worked with NGO Girls as part of a project implemented in cooperation with UN Women Ukraine and supported by the Governments of Sweden, Denmark and Latvia, as well as UN Women National Committees. The project also received support through UN Women’s Emergency Response Mechanism (EFM).

“As part of the project, I identified women and girls who needed humanitarian support, communicated with them, organised and distributed assistance, assessed community needs, and informed women about the activities and services available through our organisation,” she explains.

The project combined different forms of support

“The goal of the project, supported by UN Women and partners, was to help women and girls affected by the war. We provided psychosocial support, dignity kits, cash assistance, and supported local civil society organisations,” says Inna Lytvynenko.

The majority of the team she worked with were women and girls. This matters – both for the internal environment and for the beneficiaries, who often feel safer opening up to other women.

One woman’s story

One day, a woman came to NGO Girls after fleeing a border village under threat.

“She received psychosocial support and a dignity kit, which she was incredibly grateful for. It helped her regain some emotional stability and meet her basic needs,” Inna recalls.

She says that a combination of psychological support and humanitarian assistance often becomes the first step toward recovery for displaced women.

Women holding communities together

Through her work in Sumy, Inna saw how women play a vital role not only in supporting their families but also in sustaining their communities.

“They help those who need support the most and ensure humanitarian aid is gender-responsive,” she says.

Why women’s organisations need long-term support

Local women-led organisations are a key part of support systems. They work directly with affected women, understand local realities, and respond quickly. However, these organisations face increasing challenges.

“When financial support decreases, women’s organisations cannot adequately support affected women and girls. Long-term and stable funding is essential to ensure they can deliver support consistently and without interruption,” Inna stresses.

Why Inna stays in Sumy

Despite ongoing risks, Inna chooses to remain in Sumy.

“I stay because this is my home – my family and the place where I grew up,” she says.

Even though many are evacuating, the need for support remains urgent.

“Many women and girls are losing their homes or being forced to leave. I want to stay here and support those who need help the most,” she explains.

For Inna, staying means being present for people who need support here and now. Despite the difficult stories she hears every day, her message remains hopeful:

“I want every woman to know that she is not alone. Please reach out for help when you need it. Your strength and your wellbeing matter – to you, to your family, and to society as a whole,” she says.

The project “Enhancing the safety, security, and mental health of women and girls, as well as advancing their human rights” was implemented by UN Women Ukraine in partnership with NGO Girls. It was financially supported by the Governments of Sweden, Denmark, and Latvia, the UN Women National Committees.

The project also received support from UN Women through the Emergency Funding Mechanism (EFM) – a flexible, replenishable, revolving fund that allows resources to be rapidly allocated in the immediate aftermath of sudden-onset crises or peaks in protracted crises.

The views and opinions expressed in the text are those of the individuals featured and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of UN Women, the supporting organizations, or the donors involved in the project.