Over three years since Russia’s full-scale war of aggression on Ukraine, women, girls, and marginalized communities continue to be disproportionately impacted, facing elevated levels of poverty, displacement, and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence. Women and girls represent the majority of the 14.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. At the same time, women have been at the forefront of the war response, providing essential services, taking on non-traditional roles, assuming more family caregiving responsibilities, and serving in the armed forces both in combatant and non-combatant roles. As recovery strategies are developed and post-war scenarios are considered, women will be critical to ensuring progress and their needs, contributions, and leadership must be central to rebuilding efforts.
In response to these urgent challenges, the Ukrainian and German governments, together with UN Women, launched the Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) 2024 in Berlin. In less than one year, the Alliance has recruited 71 members and created a unique multi-stakeholder platform uniting governments, international organizations, civil society, and businesses to advance common goals. Already, the Alliance is harmonizing efforts across sectors, identifying gender-blind investments, and directing resources toward underrepresented and critical areas of recovery. Strengthening this platform and pursuing gender-inclusive recovery is not only a moral imperative—it is a smart, strategic approach that underpins sustainable peace, holistic security, and long-term economic stability.
Integrating gender equality into Ukraine’s recovery is not only the right thing to do—it is the smart, strategic approach needed for longterm peace, security, and prosperity.
At the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women last month, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security hosted a strategic session of the Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery for Ukraine, titled “Road to Rome,” to lay the groundwork for a meaningful focus on gender-inclusive recovery at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome. Key priorities included ensuring a gender panel at URC Rome, strengthening collective messaging and advocacy, and mobilizing commitments from the private sector to promote Ukraine’s holistic recovery.
Why Inclusive Recovery Matters
- Enhanced Peace and Stability: Gender-inclusive recovery is essential for sustainable peace. The peace and recovery processes with robust women’s participation result in more durable, sustainable post-war environments.
- Economic Growth and Development: Investing in gender-responsive recovery boosts national productivity and long-term growth. Studies indicate that excluding women costs the global economy up to $10 trillion annually. Empowering women and promoting gender-sensitive recovery can strengthen entire communities and enhance Ukraine’s overall economic resilience.
- Improved Governance and Justice: Women’s active participation in governance improves transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Inclusive decision-making is critical to building back better in post-conflict settings, fostering more just and resilient societies.
Call to Action Ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome
We urge international partners to:
- Join the Alliance as one of the key deliverables of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) 2025 and actively contribute to its progress by coordinating gender-inclusive donor engagement and recovery planning.
- Develop a Robust Gender Agenda at URC Rome in collaboration with the Ukrainian government. Ensure that the conference features a stand-alone gender panel and integrates gender perspectives throughout its proceedings, including gender-balanced panels across all pillars.
Why a Stand-Alone Gender Panel?
A stand-alone gender panel at URC Rome is crucial—not just for symbolic representation, but for the powerful message it sends to donors and stakeholders. As demonstrated in Berlin, gender panels create a platform for high-level dialogue and mobilize critical commitments for gender-responsive funding. Without it, gender considerations risk being sidelined in broader recovery efforts.
Why Gender Mainstreaming Throughout the Conference?
Gender mainstreaming in all conference discussions ensures that Ukraine’s recovery is truly inclusive. This approach involves considering gender in all aspects of planning, ensuring recovery strategies address the needs of women, girls, and marginalized communities. It is essential for long-term, sustainable recovery.
