In southeastern Ukraine, women are stepping up to help secure the country’s energy supply by working in coal mines, a vital sector for Ukraine’s war effort. Our international correspondent, Valerie Gauriat, traveled to the region to meet these women who are now part of the workforce.
Ternivka, located in the heart of Ukraine’s vast coal mining basin in western Donbas, plays a crucial role in the nation’s energy supply. However, it is also a target for Russian forces. Despite the ongoing war, the region’s oldest coal mine continues to operate at full capacity, with more women joining the workforce to support the industry.
Oksana is one of the women on the frontlines of Ukraine’s energy efforts. She said, “I try to help both myself and the country. This job is tough, but it’s possible. I’m managing it. I can manage anything.”
Oksana fled her home in Bakhmut, Donetsk, amid heavy Russian shelling. The bombings killed her father and eldest son.
Many of the women working in the mines were displaced by the war, losing their homes and previous jobs. Tatyana, for example, was a nanny before the war, and Irina worked as an accountant. Their new jobs at the mine provide them with income, but they also see it as a way to contribute to Ukraine’s war effort.
Irina explained, “It is important for everyone to do something. I help however I can. I need to do more than just sit back. This is my contribution to our economy and our country’s stability.”
Before the war, women were banned from working underground in Ukrainian mines due to Soviet-era laws. Today, however, women make up about 5% of the underground workforce at this mine. Irina’s husband, Andrey, who has worked at the mine for years, appreciates their presence. “In some areas, women actually perform better than men. It’s reassuring to know she’s close by and under my watch,” he said.
Irina feels comfortable in her new role, saying, “No matter what happens, we support each other. So, I feel safe here.”
The mines of western Donbas account for 80% of Ukraine’s coal production. If these mines were to be captured or destroyed, it would result in widespread power shortages across the country.
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