Valerie Gauriat, Euronews’ international correspondent, traveled to south-eastern Ukraine to meet the women who have recently joined the efforts to secure critical energy supply in the coal mines. In Ternivka, at the heart of Ukraine’s massive coal mining basin in western Donbas, the oldest coal mine is still operating at full capacity with an increasing number of women joining the workforce. Oksana, one of the women working at the mine, escaped heavy Russian shelling in her hometown of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, where she lost her father and eldest son. Many women in the area were displaced by the war, losing their homes and former jobs, making working at the mine crucial for their livelihood and a way to contribute to the war effort.
The women working at the mine, such as Tatyana and Irina, have taken on these tough jobs not only to support themselves but also to play a role in stabilizing the country’s economy and supporting the war effort. Before the war, women were prohibited from working underground in Ukrainian mines due to a law dating back to Soviet times. Now, women make up about 5% of the underground workforce in this mine, providing a welcome presence according to Irina’s husband, Andrey, who has worked at the mine for many years. The presence of women underground is seen as a positive development, with Andrey noting that women often perform as well or better than men in certain areas of work.
The western Donbas mines, which represent 80% of the country’s coal production, are crucial for Ukraine’s energy supply and could potentially be targeted by Russian forces. The capture or destruction of these mines would result in critical power cuts throughout the country. The women working at the mine acknowledge the risks and challenges they face, but they also see their work as a way to contribute to the stability of their country and the war effort. Irina emphasizes the importance of actively contributing to the country’s well-being during these difficult times, stating that sitting back is not an option for her.
For these women, working in the coal mines is a way to not only support themselves financially but also to actively participate in the war effort and contribute to the stability of their country’s economy. Despite the risks and challenges they face, they are determined to make a difference and ensure that critical energy supply is maintained in Ukraine. The presence of women in the underground workforce is seen as a positive development, with many acknowledging the valuable contributions that women make to the operation of the mines. The women working at the mines remain resilient and determined to do their part in the face of adversity.
