"This country needs women to rebuild it" - these words from Valentina Riabova, a veteran welder at DTEK's Ternivka mine, capture the transformative shift in Ukraine's mining industry.
NPR has highlighted how hundreds of Ukrainian women are now working underground in coal mines, taking on roles traditionally held by men, following the lifting of legislative restrictions in response to wartime workforce challenges.
The article features DTEK employees Iryna and Tetiana, who exemplify this transition. Iryna, a former accountant and daughter of a miner, and Tetiana, previously a housewife, now handle underground logistical support at the mine. Their stories reflect the broader changes in Ukraine's industrial landscape, where women now constitute approximately 5% of DTEK's mining workforce.
"We are all doing what we can to survive this terrible war. This is my part," says Tetiana.
The shift came after many male miners joined the military following russia's invasion in February 2022, leading to significant worker shortages in heavy industry. DTEK responded by opening previously restricted positions to women, similar to the U.S. approach during World War II.
Read the full story on NPR's website.
