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Women in Ukraine’s Coal Mining Industry: Embracing New Roles Amidst War

Explore how women in Ukraine’s coal mining industry are taking on new roles and challenges amidst the ongoing war, showcasing resilience and strength in a traditionally male-dominated field.

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Women in Ukraine’s Coal Mining Industry: A New Chapter

On a recent morning in eastern Ukraine, Karina Yatsina, a dedicated mine worker, was hard at work operating a conveyor belt deep within a dimly lit tunnel, approximately 1,200 feet underground. The flickering lights at the tunnel’s end provided a glimpse of miners diligently carving through the rich coal seams that have been a lifeline for the region.

Just a year and a half ago, Ms. Yatsina, now 21, was engaged in a completely different profession as a nanny. However, as the war intensified, friends informed her of job openings at a local mine in the eastern town of Pavlohrad, where women were being actively recruited to fill the roles left vacant by men drafted into military service. The allure of a competitive salary and a robust pension plan prompted her to make the significant career shift.

It wasn’t long before Ms. Yatsina found herself navigating the mine’s intricate network of tunnels, equipped with a headlamp strapped securely to her bright red helmet. “I would have never thought that I would be working in a mine,” she reflected during a brief respite from the stifling heat of the tunnel. “I would have never imagined that.”

Ms. Yatsina is among a remarkable group of 130 women who have taken on underground roles at the mine since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These women are not only operating conveyors that transport coal to the surface but are also working as safety inspectors and driving trains that connect various parts of the mine.

“Their help is enormous because many men went to fight and are no longer available,” stated Serhiy Faraonov, the deputy head of the mine, which is operated by DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company. He noted that around 1,000 male workers at the mine have been drafted into military service, accounting for about one-fifth of the total workforce. To address this labor shortfall, the mine has actively recruited approximately 330 women to join its ranks.

In response to the changing dynamics brought about by the war, the Ukrainian government made a significant policy shift by suspending a law that previously prohibited women from working in underground environments and in conditions deemed “harmful or dangerous.” This pivotal decision has opened doors for women like Ms. Yatsina to contribute to an essential industry during a time of crisis.

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