Women's entrepreneurship in times of war

On December 10, a discussion on the development of women's business in Ukraine and the UK took place in Lviv, at the Women's Perspectives Center. The main topic was the study "Integration of Displaced Ukrainian Women Entrepreneurs: Challenges and Support", conducted by Mariupol State University in collaboration with Cambridge Business School. The main results were presented by Anna Chechel, a professor at the indomitable university.

Women entrepreneurs demonstrate a high level of education: 88.5% of respondents in Ukraine and 92.5% in the UK have higher education. This gives them more opportunities to adapt and develop their business.

Despite the difficult conditions, many participants already had entrepreneurial experience, which allowed them to quickly resume their activities. However, the key challenges are different: in the UK these are socio-cultural barriers and the difficulty of finding premises for business, and in Ukraine - high competition and limited support opportunities.

Women entrepreneurs need access to financing, access to new markets, legal support and professional support the most. Community plays an important role – regardless of experience, women need the opportunity to share knowledge and resources.

Olga Ozerova, owner of a beauty salon in Lviv:

Women receive grants, learn new skills and develop their businesses. But beginners lack a platform where they could receive advice and mentoring support.

Larysa Polishchuk, entrepreneur, participant in the study:

The grant helped me save my business, but without professional support it is difficult to move forward. It is important to unite, create support networks and develop the Ukrainian business community.

Lyuba Maksymovych, head of the Women’s Perspectives Center:

Women need to establish international cooperation to support each other and expand business opportunities.

Svitlana Puhyr, Doctor of Economics:

Educational programs should teach women not only to start a business, but also to manage it in crisis conditions. This is what will allow them not only to survive, but also to grow.

Denys Tarasenko, Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Management of Mariupol University, emphasized that the results of the study will form the basis of recommendations for supporting female entrepreneurship. The next step will be to expand the work of business incubators, launch mentoring programs and create information platforms for Ukrainian businesswomen.

Ukrainian women do not just adapt to reality - they change it. They build businesses, create jobs, and support the country's economy.