Ukraine Faces Rural Crisis Amid Prolonged Conflict

A severe rural crisis is unfolding in Ukraine, driven by prolonged conflict, escalating fodder costs, and disrupted rural market systems. Women and older women from rural livestock-dependent households are disproportionately affected. Immediate intervention is critical to prevent a permanent loss of productive assets. Without targeted support, household income and assets risk erosion, deepening vulnerabilities and increasing protection concerns, including exposure to gender-based violence. Women have historically played a foundational role in managing dairy cattle and maintaining household agricultural production. They are increasingly becoming sole managers of family farms, shouldering caregiving responsibilities. A sharp increase in input costs and collapse of local sales markets is forcing distress sales and slaughter, accelerating humanitarian vulnerability. Women-headed households show determination to preserve their existing agricultural assets, but institutional support gaps exist due to lack of formal integration into state agricultural frameworks.