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Barriers to women’s political participation in Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war

stmm. 2026 (3): 45-64

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2026.03.045

Full text:

ANASTASIIA DEMYDIUK, M.A. in Sociology, Graduated from the Master’s Program in Sociology of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (2, Hryhorii Skovoroda St., Kyiv, 04655)

a.demydiuk@ukma.edu.ua

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8422-599X

TAMARA MARTSENYUK, Candidate of Sciences in Sociology, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (2, Hryhorii Skovoroda St., Kyiv, 04655)

t.martsenyuk@ukma.edu.ua

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4785-5618

The article updates the issue of gender segregation in the political sphere of the Ukrainian society. A review of research on gender segregation in politics and the phenomenon of the «glass ceiling» is conducted. Gender segregation is analyzed in two dimensions — horizontal and vertical. The results of the gender analysis of the political sphere in Ukraine are clarified, especially during the Russo-Ukrainian war. Based on secondary data analysis, it is revealed that the level of representation of women in Ukrainian politics remains quite low. It is noted that previous support measures have demonstrated limited effectiveness in eliminating invisible barriers, and the instability and crisis resulting from the Russo-Ukrainian war threaten gender equality in politics with long-term consequences.

The empirical basis of the article is data collected as a result of in-depth interviews with 15 female politicians. The results of interviews with female politicians at various levels of political power in Ukraine allowed us to identify the factors of the “glass ceiling” at the macro-, meso- and micro-levels. In particular, the barriers to political participation were identified, such as the context of the war, shortcomings in the legal system, biased attitude of the public and the media, organizational culture, insufficient support from close circle, «double burden», financial constraints and internal psychological barriers. In addition, the factors for overcoming them were identified, such as educational measures to increase women’s awareness and develop their skills, openness and transparency of recruitment procedures into politics, financial support, networking, mentoring, organization of processes and adaptation of the environment for female politicians with children, as well as motivation, experience, reputation, etc.

Keywords: women; gender segregation, «glass ceiling»; barriers; gender equality; political activity; politics, Russo-Ukrainian war

References:

  1. Acker, J. (1990). Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations. Gender & Society, 4(2), 139-158. https://doi.org/10.1177/089124390004002002

  2. Babak, M., Davlikanova, O., Dmytrieva, M., Kozyr, M., Kompantseva, L., Levchenko, K., Skoryk, M., Suslova, O. (2021). Glossary and Thesaurus of the European Institute for Gender Equality. [In Ukrainian]. Kyiv: Vistka.

  3. Bengtsson, M. (2016). How to plan and perform a qualitative study using content analysis. NursingPlus Open, 2, 8-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.npls.2016.01.001

  4. Bilynska, M.M. (2011). Gender Policy in the System of Public Administration. [In Ukrainian]. Zaporizhzhia: Drukarskyi Svit.

  5. Bornat, M. (2017). Women to the Rescue: Is There a Glass Cliff in Politics? Budapest: CEU eTD Collection. Retrieved from: https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2018/bornat_marleen.pdf

  6. Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2025). Government Portal. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.kmu.gov.ua/

  7. Central Election Commission. (2020). Gender Monitoring of Local Elections. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.gov.ua/actualna-informaciya/187243.html

  8. Damann, T.J., Kim, D., & Tavits, M. (2024). Women and Men Politicians' Response to War: Evidence from Ukraine. International Organization, 78(2), 321-340. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818324000080

  9. Dumanska, V. (2024). Gender (in)equality: how the war affected women's political participation. [In Ukrainian]. Women are 50% of Ukraine's success, February 29. Retrieved from: https://50vidsotkiv.org.ua/genderna-ne-rivnist-yak-vijna-vplynula-na-politychnu-uchast-zhinok/

  10. EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk. (2023). Country gender profile: Ukraine.Гендерний профіль країни: Україна. [In Ukrainian]. EUNEIGHBOURS east. Retrieved from: https://euneighbourseast.eu/uk/news/publications/gendernyj-profil-krayiny-ukrayina/

  11. Fedynchuk, I., Martsinkovska, T. (2024). Results of a study of internal documents of political parties of Ukraine and a survey of female deputies of different levels of councils on women's access to political decision-making. [In Ukrainian]. Lviv: NGO "Center 'Women's Perspectives'".

  12. Kimmel, M.S. (2003). The Gendered Workplace. [In Ukrainian]. In: Gendered Society (pp. 265-310). Kyiv: Sfera.

  13. Kittilson, M.C. (2010). Comparing gender, institutions and Political Behavior: toward an Integrated theoretical framework. Perspectives on Politics, 8(1), 217-222. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1537592709992799

  14. Kulik, C.T. & Rae, B. (2019). The glass ceiling in organizations. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Business and Management, 30 October. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190224851.013.41

  15. Lawless, J.L. & Fox, R.L. (2013). Girls just wanna not run: The gender gap in young Americans' political ambition. Washington: Women & Politics Institute.

  16. Lovenduski, J. (2001). Women and Politics: minority representation or critical mass? Parliamentary Affairs, 54(4), 743-758. https://doi.org/10.1093/parlij/54.4.743

  17. Lygina, A. (2018). The path of power and the path of lipstick. Why are girls (not) interested in politics? [In Ukrainian]. Gender in detail, December 20. Retrieved from: https://genderindetail.org.ua/season-topic/polityka/shlyah-vladi-i-shlyah-pomadi-chomu-divchat-ne-tsikavit-politika-134864.html

  18. Martsenyuk, T. (2018). Women in "big politics": Gender analysis of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. [In Ukrainian]. NaUKMA Research Papers. Sociology, 1, 43-53. https://doi.org/10.18523/2617-9067.2018.43-53

  19. Martsenyuk, T. (2017). Gender for All. Challenging Stereotypes. [In Ukrainian]. Kyiv: Osnovy.

  20. Meyerson, D. & Fletcher, J.K. (2000). A modest manifesto for shattering the glass ceiling. Harvard Business Review, January. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2000/01/a-modest-manifesto-for-shattering-the-glass-ceiling

  21. Murray, R. (2021). It's a rich man's world: How class and glass ceilings intersect for UK parliamentary candidates. International Political Science Review, 44(1), 13-26. https://doi.org/10.1177/01925121211040025

  22. NDI & USAID. (2023). Democratic Developments in Ukraine. National Democratic Institute.

  23. Neuman, W.L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th ed.). Edinburgh: Pearson Education Limited.

  24. Palmer, B. & Simon, D. (2001). The political glass ceiling. Women & Politics, 23(1-2), 59-78. https://doi.org/10.1300/J014v23n01_05

  25. President of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky. (2025). Official online representation. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.president.gov.ua/

  26. Pyshchulina, O., Martsinkovska, T., Dobrovolsky, D., Yurchyshyn, V. (2024). Research into the gender specificity of forced migration from Ukraine to the EU in the context of military conflict. Part 1. Forced migrants - a sociological view in the gender dimension. [In Ukrainian]. Kyiv: Oleksandr Razumkov Ukrainian Center for Economic and Political Research.

  27. Quintero, M.I.L., Trilleras, H.G., & Mosquera, M.C.V. (2024). Barriers to Leadership: Experiences of women leaders in business and politics. Revista CEA, 10(24), e2866. https://doi.org/10.22430/24223182.2866

  28. Randle, V. (1999). The 'glass ceiling': an illusion? Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 24(2), 105-109. https://doi.org/10.1179/030801899678704

  29. Rating Group. (2026). Common Contours #3. Assessing Gender Inequality in Different Spheres of Life. Comparing Views in Ukraine and the EU. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.ratinggroup.ua/news/common-contours-2026-3

  30. Shames, S.L. (2007). Breaking the glass ceiling in politics and business: Report on Salzburg Global Seminar November 3-8, 2007. In: Salzburg Global. Salzburg Global Seminar Session. Salzburg, Austria.

  31. Singh, S., Sharma, C., Bali, P., Sharma, S., & Shah, M.A. (2023). Making sense of glass ceiling: A bibliometric analysis of conceptual framework, intellectual structure and research publications. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2181508

  32. Skoryk, M.M. (2013). Women in Ukrainian politics at the local level: ways, problems, participation. [In Ukrainian]. Analytical report on the results of six focus groups with the participation of women - deputies and candidates for deputies of regional, city and district councils. Kyiv: LLC "ITEM LTD".

  33. Stockemer, D. (2008). Women's Representation: A Comparison between Europe and the Americas. Politics, 28(2), 65-73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9256.2008.00313.x

  34. Strelnyk, O. (2024). Is there a conservative gender turn in a war-torn society? [In Ukrainian]. In: Ukrainian Society in a Warlike Condition. Year 2024: Collective Monograph (pp. 197-219). Kyiv: Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. https://doi.org/10.15407/book3.978-617-14-0292-8.07

  35. Sundström, A. & Wängnerud, L. (2014). Corruption as an obstacle to women's political representation. Party Politics, 22(3), 354-369. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068814549339

  36. Taparia, M. & Lenka, U. (2024). A bibliometric overview of research on the glass ceiling for women. Management Review Quarterly, 75, 3219-3261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-024-00457-6

  37. Thomas, M. (2013). Barriers to women's political participation in Canada. University of New Brunswick Law Journal, 64, 218-233.

  38. Tyshko, I. (2019). Women in Politics: 100 Years of Evolution. [In Ukrainian]. Gender in Detail, January 31. Retrieved from: https://genderindetail.org.ua/season-topic/polityka/zhinki-v-polititsi-ukraini-100-rokiv-evolyutsii-134913.html

  39. UA Reforms. (2023). Human rights: reintegration, gender policy and LGBT+ policy in Ukraine. Vision document of reforms for the restoration of Ukraine "Vision of Ukraine 2030: social and humanitarian sphere". [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://uareforms.org/pages/new-page-653

  40. Vasile, A. (2020). The segregation of women in politics could gender quotas break the glass ceiling. Doctoral Thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano.

  41. Verba, S., Burns, N., & Schlozman, K.L. (1997). Knowing and Caring about Politics: Gender and Political Engagement. The Journal of Politics, 59(4), 1051-1072. https://doi.org/10.2307/2998592

  42. Verge, T. & Claveria, S. (2016). Gendered political resources. Party Politics, 24(5), 536-548. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068816663040

  43. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2025). Personnel Department of the Apparatus of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://vrkadry.rada.gov.ua/

  44. Williams, C.L. (1992). The Glass Escalator: Hidden Advantages for men in the "Female" professions. Social Problems, 39(3), 253-267. https://doi.org/10.2307/3096961

  45. World Economic Forum. (2024). Global Gender Gap Report. Retrieved from: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2024.pdf

Received 24.02.2026

Accepted for publication after review 16.06.2026

Barriers to women’s political participation in Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war

stmm. 2026 (3): 45-64

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2026.03.045

Full text:

ANASTASIIA DEMYDIUK, M.A. in Sociology, Graduated from the Master’s Program in Sociology of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (2, Hryhorii Skovoroda St., Kyiv, 04655)

a.demydiuk@ukma.edu.ua

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8422-599X

TAMARA MARTSENYUK, Candidate of Sciences in Sociology, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (2, Hryhorii Skovoroda St., Kyiv, 04655)

t.martsenyuk@ukma.edu.ua

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4785-5618

The article updates the issue of gender segregation in the political sphere of the Ukrainian society. A review of research on gender segregation in politics and the phenomenon of the «glass ceiling» is conducted. Gender segregation is analyzed in two dimensions — horizontal and vertical. The results of the gender analysis of the political sphere in Ukraine are clarified, especially during the Russo-Ukrainian war. Based on secondary data analysis, it is revealed that the level of representation of women in Ukrainian politics remains quite low. It is noted that previous support measures have demonstrated limited effectiveness in eliminating invisible barriers, and the instability and crisis resulting from the Russo-Ukrainian war threaten gender equality in politics with long-term consequences.

The empirical basis of the article is data collected as a result of in-depth interviews with 15 female politicians. The results of interviews with female politicians at various levels of political power in Ukraine allowed us to identify the factors of the “glass ceiling” at the macro-, meso- and micro-levels. In particular, the barriers to political participation were identified, such as the context of the war, shortcomings in the legal system, biased attitude of the public and the media, organizational culture, insufficient support from close circle, «double burden», financial constraints and internal psychological barriers. In addition, the factors for overcoming them were identified, such as educational measures to increase women’s awareness and develop their skills, openness and transparency of recruitment procedures into politics, financial support, networking, mentoring, organization of processes and adaptation of the environment for female politicians with children, as well as motivation, experience, reputation, etc.

Keywords: women; gender segregation, «glass ceiling»; barriers; gender equality; political activity; politics, Russo-Ukrainian war

References:

  1. Acker, J. (1990). Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations. Gender & Society, 4(2), 139-158. https://doi.org/10.1177/089124390004002002

  2. Babak, M., Davlikanova, O., Dmytrieva, M., Kozyr, M., Kompantseva, L., Levchenko, K., Skoryk, M., Suslova, O. (2021). Glossary and Thesaurus of the European Institute for Gender Equality. [In Ukrainian]. Kyiv: Vistka.

  3. Bengtsson, M. (2016). How to plan and perform a qualitative study using content analysis. NursingPlus Open, 2, 8-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.npls.2016.01.001

  4. Bilynska, M.M. (2011). Gender Policy in the System of Public Administration. [In Ukrainian]. Zaporizhzhia: Drukarskyi Svit.

  5. Bornat, M. (2017). Women to the Rescue: Is There a Glass Cliff in Politics? Budapest: CEU eTD Collection. Retrieved from: https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2018/bornat_marleen.pdf

  6. Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2025). Government Portal. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.kmu.gov.ua/

  7. Central Election Commission. (2020). Gender Monitoring of Local Elections. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.gov.ua/actualna-informaciya/187243.html

  8. Damann, T.J., Kim, D., & Tavits, M. (2024). Women and Men Politicians' Response to War: Evidence from Ukraine. International Organization, 78(2), 321-340. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818324000080

  9. Dumanska, V. (2024). Gender (in)equality: how the war affected women's political participation. [In Ukrainian]. Women are 50% of Ukraine's success, February 29. Retrieved from: https://50vidsotkiv.org.ua/genderna-ne-rivnist-yak-vijna-vplynula-na-politychnu-uchast-zhinok/

  10. EU4Gender Equality Reform Helpdesk. (2023). Country gender profile: Ukraine.Гендерний профіль країни: Україна. [In Ukrainian]. EUNEIGHBOURS east. Retrieved from: https://euneighbourseast.eu/uk/news/publications/gendernyj-profil-krayiny-ukrayina/

  11. Fedynchuk, I., Martsinkovska, T. (2024). Results of a study of internal documents of political parties of Ukraine and a survey of female deputies of different levels of councils on women's access to political decision-making. [In Ukrainian]. Lviv: NGO "Center 'Women's Perspectives'".

  12. Kimmel, M.S. (2003). The Gendered Workplace. [In Ukrainian]. In: Gendered Society (pp. 265-310). Kyiv: Sfera.

  13. Kittilson, M.C. (2010). Comparing gender, institutions and Political Behavior: toward an Integrated theoretical framework. Perspectives on Politics, 8(1), 217-222. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1537592709992799

  14. Kulik, C.T. & Rae, B. (2019). The glass ceiling in organizations. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Business and Management, 30 October. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190224851.013.41

  15. Lawless, J.L. & Fox, R.L. (2013). Girls just wanna not run: The gender gap in young Americans' political ambition. Washington: Women & Politics Institute.

  16. Lovenduski, J. (2001). Women and Politics: minority representation or critical mass? Parliamentary Affairs, 54(4), 743-758. https://doi.org/10.1093/parlij/54.4.743

  17. Lygina, A. (2018). The path of power and the path of lipstick. Why are girls (not) interested in politics? [In Ukrainian]. Gender in detail, December 20. Retrieved from: https://genderindetail.org.ua/season-topic/polityka/shlyah-vladi-i-shlyah-pomadi-chomu-divchat-ne-tsikavit-politika-134864.html

  18. Martsenyuk, T. (2018). Women in "big politics": Gender analysis of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. [In Ukrainian]. NaUKMA Research Papers. Sociology, 1, 43-53. https://doi.org/10.18523/2617-9067.2018.43-53

  19. Martsenyuk, T. (2017). Gender for All. Challenging Stereotypes. [In Ukrainian]. Kyiv: Osnovy.

  20. Meyerson, D. & Fletcher, J.K. (2000). A modest manifesto for shattering the glass ceiling. Harvard Business Review, January. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2000/01/a-modest-manifesto-for-shattering-the-glass-ceiling

  21. Murray, R. (2021). It's a rich man's world: How class and glass ceilings intersect for UK parliamentary candidates. International Political Science Review, 44(1), 13-26. https://doi.org/10.1177/01925121211040025

  22. NDI & USAID. (2023). Democratic Developments in Ukraine. National Democratic Institute.

  23. Neuman, W.L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th ed.). Edinburgh: Pearson Education Limited.

  24. Palmer, B. & Simon, D. (2001). The political glass ceiling. Women & Politics, 23(1-2), 59-78. https://doi.org/10.1300/J014v23n01_05

  25. President of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky. (2025). Official online representation. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.president.gov.ua/

  26. Pyshchulina, O., Martsinkovska, T., Dobrovolsky, D., Yurchyshyn, V. (2024). Research into the gender specificity of forced migration from Ukraine to the EU in the context of military conflict. Part 1. Forced migrants - a sociological view in the gender dimension. [In Ukrainian]. Kyiv: Oleksandr Razumkov Ukrainian Center for Economic and Political Research.

  27. Quintero, M.I.L., Trilleras, H.G., & Mosquera, M.C.V. (2024). Barriers to Leadership: Experiences of women leaders in business and politics. Revista CEA, 10(24), e2866. https://doi.org/10.22430/24223182.2866

  28. Randle, V. (1999). The 'glass ceiling': an illusion? Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 24(2), 105-109. https://doi.org/10.1179/030801899678704

  29. Rating Group. (2026). Common Contours #3. Assessing Gender Inequality in Different Spheres of Life. Comparing Views in Ukraine and the EU. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.ratinggroup.ua/news/common-contours-2026-3

  30. Shames, S.L. (2007). Breaking the glass ceiling in politics and business: Report on Salzburg Global Seminar November 3-8, 2007. In: Salzburg Global. Salzburg Global Seminar Session. Salzburg, Austria.

  31. Singh, S., Sharma, C., Bali, P., Sharma, S., & Shah, M.A. (2023). Making sense of glass ceiling: A bibliometric analysis of conceptual framework, intellectual structure and research publications. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2181508

  32. Skoryk, M.M. (2013). Women in Ukrainian politics at the local level: ways, problems, participation. [In Ukrainian]. Analytical report on the results of six focus groups with the participation of women - deputies and candidates for deputies of regional, city and district councils. Kyiv: LLC "ITEM LTD".

  33. Stockemer, D. (2008). Women's Representation: A Comparison between Europe and the Americas. Politics, 28(2), 65-73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9256.2008.00313.x

  34. Strelnyk, O. (2024). Is there a conservative gender turn in a war-torn society? [In Ukrainian]. In: Ukrainian Society in a Warlike Condition. Year 2024: Collective Monograph (pp. 197-219). Kyiv: Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. https://doi.org/10.15407/book3.978-617-14-0292-8.07

  35. Sundström, A. & Wängnerud, L. (2014). Corruption as an obstacle to women's political representation. Party Politics, 22(3), 354-369. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068814549339

  36. Taparia, M. & Lenka, U. (2024). A bibliometric overview of research on the glass ceiling for women. Management Review Quarterly, 75, 3219-3261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-024-00457-6

  37. Thomas, M. (2013). Barriers to women's political participation in Canada. University of New Brunswick Law Journal, 64, 218-233.

  38. Tyshko, I. (2019). Women in Politics: 100 Years of Evolution. [In Ukrainian]. Gender in Detail, January 31. Retrieved from: https://genderindetail.org.ua/season-topic/polityka/zhinki-v-polititsi-ukraini-100-rokiv-evolyutsii-134913.html

  39. UA Reforms. (2023). Human rights: reintegration, gender policy and LGBT+ policy in Ukraine. Vision document of reforms for the restoration of Ukraine "Vision of Ukraine 2030: social and humanitarian sphere". [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://uareforms.org/pages/new-page-653

  40. Vasile, A. (2020). The segregation of women in politics could gender quotas break the glass ceiling. Doctoral Thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano.

  41. Verba, S., Burns, N., & Schlozman, K.L. (1997). Knowing and Caring about Politics: Gender and Political Engagement. The Journal of Politics, 59(4), 1051-1072. https://doi.org/10.2307/2998592

  42. Verge, T. & Claveria, S. (2016). Gendered political resources. Party Politics, 24(5), 536-548. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068816663040

  43. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2025). Personnel Department of the Apparatus of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://vrkadry.rada.gov.ua/

  44. Williams, C.L. (1992). The Glass Escalator: Hidden Advantages for men in the "Female" professions. Social Problems, 39(3), 253-267. https://doi.org/10.2307/3096961

  45. World Economic Forum. (2024). Global Gender Gap Report. Retrieved from: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2024.pdf

Received 24.02.2026

Accepted for publication after review 16.06.2026

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LATEST FREELY ACCESSIBLE MATERIALS

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