The war in Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on millions of women and girls, with reports of soaring gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse and dwindling access to life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare. 

Psychological stress and trauma, coupled with the strain on maternal health services, are contributing to increased risks of maternal and neonatal complications, particularly in front-line and rural areas. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, health workers have reported a significant rise in preterm births, with more than 14,780 recorded in 2023 alone. ​

Millions have fled across the country and over borders, with scarce ability to earn a living, reunite with their families or seek medical care for physical and mental trauma. Some 14.6 million people in Ukraine and 2.2 million Ukrainian refugees in European countries urgently need health assistance and gender-based violence prevention and response support. 

UNFPA and partners are restoring and expanding reproductive health and protection services and psychosocial support for people in hard-to-reach areas of the country, as well as delivering training programmes to encourage women’s participation in the workforce. UNFPA has established more than 20 shelters and 30 safe spaces for survivors of gender-based violence, and supports 108 mobile psychosocial support teams across the country. UNFPA has also deployed mobile gynaecological units to remote areas, and set up a maternity unit in Kharkiv to ensure emergency obstetric care. 

UNFPA provides vital pharmaceutical supplies to maternity hospitals and supports barrier-free gynaecological surgery rooms for women with disabilities, including in high-risk areas. Maternity ward bunkers and mobile incubators provide life-saving services during shelling and power outages.  

In the Republic of Moldova and other neighbouring countries, UNFPA is responding to the health and protection needs of refugees.

Updated 9 April 2025