Women in the war in Donbas

[19] In their 2019 book Insurgent Women: Female Combatants in Civil Wars authors Darden, Henshaw and Szekely, while confirming the combat role of women in several Ukrainian and pro-Russian armed forces and militias as medics, drivers, sentries or on patrol, say that their participation in the first line of action, particularly as snipers, has been usually overstated by the media, or at least hard to verify.

[20] Women in the Ukrainian military still face significant levels of discrimination and stigma, both formally, still being barred from a number of positions and with provisions like proper uniforms and maternity leave still lacking, and from their fellow soldiers.

One female soldier recounted some of the discrimination she faced to Hromadske.TV: "I liberated 11 cities, I was involved in prisoner releases, but, nonetheless, most people would say that I am a “Carpathian, who fought in the first months of her pregnancy,” without taking my military experience into account.

"[33] The conflict has also seen education in some areas disrupted and the growth of patriotic youth organizations that train children in combat and survival skills.

[34] In December 2020, the United Nations in Ukraine launched an initiative to increase the participation of women in peace processes in the country.

[35] Violence against women, both civilian and military, has been a significant issue in the conflict, with rates of rape and domestic abuse being widespread.

[37] In 2015 the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed a deep concern about rapidly worsening situation with violence against women in Ukraine.

[41] In the city of Donetsk, a prison named "Izoliatsiia" (Isolation) was set up in a former factory and art hub and has served as a concentration camp and torture site.

[47][40] In 2015, the Invisible Battalion was launched to advocate for gender equality in the Armed Forces of Ukraine after a study found that the majority of women who served in the war in Donbas were not enlisted officially and subsequently had no access to social or military benefits, military awards, social status, or career opportunities in the Armed Forces.