International Women's Day - The Power of Women: Transformations Amidst War

The Power of Women: Transformations Amidst War

Ladies and gentlemen,

My name is Nadia Tikhonova, and I stand before you not just as a woman or a mother, but as someone who has experienced the most profound transformation in the face of war in Ukraine. This transformation has not only been about survival but about discovering the depth of the power within us as women.

I was born in Ukraine, a land of rich culture and unwavering strength, a country that taught me the meaning of resilience. For years, I lived a life of purpose, building a family and creating a future alongside my loved ones. I made a career in marketing at one of Ukraine's large companies. But with the beginning of the war in 2022, my husband and I realized we wanted to do something more—something connected to helping others, not just earning money. We both left our offices and started children’s football clubs, which then grew into a network of over 2,500 children attending. We also established LEGO robotics clubs, bringing children together to learn and grow, offering free classes to those suffering from the war in the East of Ukraine. We had a vision for a future where our children could dream and build the world they imagined. But on February 24, 2022, the world changed in an instant.

The Transformation of a Mother

In the early morning hours of February 24, 2022, as explosions rocked our city of Irpin, I woke up to a new life and found myself faced with an unimaginable choice: how do you protect your children in a world suddenly turned upside down? My children—7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter—had dreams of the future, but suddenly that morning, all they could think about was whether they would survive. It took hours to believe what was happening, to wake the children, gather medications, documents, and food, and rush to the basement of our 12-story building. The war was already at our doorstep. For those few hours, I transformed from a confident woman and mother into someone who felt helpless.

But then another transformation happened. When you look at your children and realize that the future you’ve dreamed of for them could end in an instant, you become a fierce protector, ready to do anything to keep them safe.

The hardest thing I had to do was write their names and our family contact details on their hands, just in case we were separated. I tried to teach them how to survive (things I had learned only from movies, relying on logic and intuition), how to stay together, and how to never be afraid to ask for help. In that moment, I was no longer just a mother—I was a protector. My only priority was the safety of my children, and I would do anything to keep them safe.

The war showed me that motherhood is not just about nurturing; it’s about protecting, about fighting for those we love in ways we never thought we could. And I wasn’t the only one. All around me, women, along with men, were becoming fierce protectors of their families, their homes, and their futures. 

We were lucky to find one of the last safe routes out. But many others were not so fortunate. They will always be remembered.

Women as Defenders of Their Homeland

But the transformation didn’t stop there. The women are not just mothers—they are warriors, leaders, and defenders. Since February 2022, nearly 70,000 Ukrainian women have joined the military, fighting side by side with men to protect their country. They have served as medics, resistance fighters, and soldiers, not as victims, but as powerful forces in the fight for Ukraine’s freedom.

Women have sacrificed everything for this war. One heartbreaking story that’s touched my heart is that of Svitlana Povaliaeva, whose two sons, Vasyl and Roman Ratushnyi, both lost their lives defending Ukraine. Svitlana raised two brave sons, both of whom chose to fight for their country. Vasyl was killed just last week and buried in Kyiv, while Roman was killed on the front lines in 2022. Despite the agony of losing both sons in this brutal war, Svitlana continues to honor their memory, showing the world the strength of a mother who will never stop fighting for what her sons died for. Her resilience and commitment to the cause are inspiring. She carries the weight of her sons' sacrifice while standing tall and fighting for Ukraine’s future.

Viktoriia Roshchyna, a journalist from Ukraine, risked her life to document the truth from the frontlines. Captured by Russian forces in 2022, she endured brutal torture but remained unbroken. Even in captivity, she continued to speak out, never losing hope. Tragically, she died in 2023, but her legacy lives on as a symbol of strength and resilience. Viktoriia’s sacrifice reminds us that women like her are not just survivors—they are fighters and heroes in the ongoing struggle to protect and rebuild.

Women as Leaders in Times of Crisis

The power of women doesn’t stop at the frontlines. In times of war and crisis, women are leaders—shaping the future of their communities, their countries, and the world. They rise to become leaders in humanitarian efforts, political activists, and advocates for justice.

This transformation of women in times of crisis is not new. If we look back to the Second World War, we see the strength of women in the UK who rose to the challenge. Women in Britain not only kept their families and communities together—they worked in factories, served in the military, and helped drive the war effort, all while facing the daily dangers of bombings and the hardships of wartime life. British women like Vera Lynn, known as the “Forces’ Sweetheart,” became symbols of hope and strength during the darkest days of the war. Women took on leadership roles, showing incredible resilience as they rebuilt, persevered, and contributed to the Allied victory.

Like those women of the past, I, too, had to transform. When my children and I arrived in the UK as refugees, I was no longer just a mother seeking safety. I had a new responsibility—not just to my children, but to my people. With the support of others, I became involved first in the Ukrainian Rotary Children’s Club, where we created activities to help children adjust to life in a new country. We helped them find new friends, maintain their cultural heritage, and understand their new home. And after two years in the UK, we founded the Ukrainian Rotary Impact Club, working to gather aid for our country and support families who had fled the war. 

Together with fellow members, many of whom are women just like me, we have found new purpose, strength, and voices in the face of tragedy. We are not just rebuilding our lives—we are giving back to the local community that welcomed us and supporting others in their journey.

The Enduring Strength of Women

The war in Ukraine has shown the world again what women are truly capable of. We are not just the mothers who mourn—we are the defenders who rise. We are not just survivors—we are warriors, leaders, and changemakers.

Through this war, we have seen that the role of women has evolved into something much more powerful. Women are the backbone of their families, the heart of their communities, and the leaders of tomorrow. The strength, resilience, and leadership of women are the forces that will shape the future, both in Ukraine and around the world.

To every mother, sister, daughter, and friend—you are stronger than you know. You have survived every challenge life has thrown at you. You have carried burdens others can’t imagine. You have stood up when the world expected you to fall.

And together, we will keep shaping the future—not just for ourselves, not just for our daughters, but for generations to come.