Women in conflict: The Role of Women in War and Peace Processes

Throughout history, war has often been portrayed as a masculine domain — a world of male soldiers, generals, and diplomats. Yet this depiction belies the profound and often overlooked role that women play in both war and peace. From combatants and medics to peacemakers and political leaders, women are central actors in the landscape of modern conflict. Nowhere is this more evident than in Ukraine, where the full spectrum of women’s wartime contributions is on display — and where their role will also be critical in shaping the postwar future.

Women in Combat: Breaking Barriers in Ukraine

Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainian women have volunteered or been mobilised into the Ukrainian Armed Forces. By mid-2023, more than 60,000 women were serving in the Ukrainian military, with at least 5,000 in direct combat roles.

Olena Bilozerska

A former war correspondent, Bilozerska joined a volunteer battalion in 2014 and eventually became a sniper in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Her transition from journalist to soldier reflects a broader national shift: the realisation that survival depended on every citizen’s contribution, regardless of gender. Her memoir, Diary of an Illegal Soldier, documents her experiences and the psychological burden of combat, while also challenging gender stereotypes about women’s roles in war.

The Female Drone Operators of Donetsk

Among Ukraine’s most technologically adept units are drone reconnaissance and strike teams — and many are led by women. One such operator, known by her call sign “Valkyrie,” leads a mixed-gender drone squad that identifies enemy artillery positions and guides precision strikes. These women are not just participating in war — they are shaping the future of warfare.

Women as Victims and Survivors of Russian Aggression

Despite their courage, Ukrainian women have also borne the heaviest toll of the war in humanitarian terms. The war has led to mass displacement, with over 4 million Ukrainian women and girls fleeing abroad and many more displaced within Ukraine. In territories occupied by Russian forces, reports of systematic sexual violence, torture, and abduction of women have emerged, often as part of broader war crimes.

Bucha and Kherson

In liberated towns like Bucha and Kherson, investigators have uncovered mass graves and testimonies of women who were raped, often in front of family members, and sometimes murdered afterwards. One survivor, interviewed by Der Spiegel, described being held in a basement for weeks and subjected to repeated assaults. These crimes are not incidental; they reflect a deliberate strategy of terror and subjugation.

Ukraine has responded by launching one of the largest efforts in modern history to document sexual violence as a war crime. Women’s rights organisations, such as La Strada Ukraine and Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association, have taken the lead in supporting victims and preparing evidence for international courts.

Women as Humanitarian Leaders and Civil Society Organizers

Ukrainian women have been at the forefront of civilian resilience. From running evacuation networks to providing medical aid and trauma counseling, their leadership has been essential in maintaining societal cohesion.

Marta Barandiy and Promote Ukraine

Barandiy, a lawyer and activist, founded Promote Ukraine, a Brussels-based NGO that lobbies EU institutions and coordinates aid for displaced Ukrainians. Her organisation has become a bridge between Ukrainian civil society and European political structures, exemplifying how women have taken on roles as global advocates and policy influencers.

Case Study: “Women of Steel” Movement

Formed by wives and mothers of Azovstal defenders captured at Mariupol, Women of Steel campaigns for prisoner exchanges, documents war crimes, and applies international pressure through public demonstrations. Their activism has turned personal grief into political leverage, gaining an audience with leaders from Paris to Washington.

Women in Peacebuilding and Justice Processes

While the informal peace negotiations mediated by the United States are underway, Ukrainian women are laying the groundwork for future reconciliation and justice.

Centre for Civil Liberties (Nobel Peace Prize 2022)

Led by Oleksandra Matviychuk, the Centre has documented thousands of war crimes and advocated for the creation of a special tribunal on Russian aggression. Matviychuk argues that justice is essential for long-term peace and that women must be central to these legal and diplomatic processes.

The Ukrainian government has also begun integrating women more actively into its transitional justice planning. Initiatives include women’s participation in local reconstruction councils and the National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The Challenge of Reintegration and Postwar Power Structures

The eventual end of war will bring new challenges. Women combatants may face stigmatisation upon return, while those who stepped into leadership roles during wartime may be sidelined in the reconstruction period. As seen in other conflicts, the gains made by women during war are often rolled back unless legally and politically protected.

Ukraine has an opportunity to defy this pattern. The country’s increasingly vibrant feminist movement, combined with increased international attention to gender equality, could lead to a more inclusive political settlement and social renewal. However, this requires continued support and vigilance — especially from allies in the EU, UN, and NATO.