Olena Kalaitan on Soviet Girlhood, Ukrainian Women, and Wartime Change
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2026/04/06
Olena Kalaitan is a Ukrainian journalist and editor best known for leading Mariupol’s Pryazovskyi Robochyi newspaper and heading the Donetsk regional organization of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine. During Russia’s 2022 siege of Mariupol, she stayed in the city for 23 days, survived the destruction of her home, and escaped on foot with her son. She later became a prominent voice for displaced journalists, media freedom, and the revival of independent Ukrainian journalism in occupied and war-affected regions. Kalaitan has also warned publicly against Russian propaganda issued under the stolen name of her newspaper during wartime occupation there.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen speaks with Olena Kalaitan about girlhood under the late Soviet system and the transformation of women’s roles in Ukraine. Kalaitan contrasts Soviet expectations of labor inside and outside the home with today’s growing emphasis on women’s rights, independence, education, and professional ambition. She argues that war has accelerated this shift, pushing women into leadership, technical work, and military service while exposing the burdens carried by widows and mothers. The interview also explores the widening cultural and political divergence between Ukraine and Russia, with Ukrainian women increasingly defining themselves through freedom, resilience, identity, and national purpose today overall.
Olena Kalaitan is a colleague and expert associated with the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine and the Journalists’ Solidarity Centers. The Journalists’ Solidarity Center of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine is a vital wartime hub helping Ukrainian and international reporters stay safe, connected, and operational through frontline danger, blackouts, displacement, and daily pressure on independent media.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How were girls brought up in the late Soviet Union, particularly within what is now Russian territory at that time? How were you socialized? What were the norms?
First, let us focus only on that period itself—growing up as a girl under the Soviet system. What kinds of expectations did society place on you? For example, the kinds of things girls were encouraged to do or discouraged from doing. Later, we can discuss how things changed from the 1970s to the 2020s, but first, let us talk about the Soviet upbringing itself.
Olena Kalaitan: Today, our society has become more feminist in some ways. Perhaps not as feminist as in the United States or some parts of Europe, but there are clear changes.
Many women still identify first as women and embrace traditional roles, but they are increasingly speaking out about their rights. For example, International Women’s Day on March 8 is no longer only a celebration with flowers and gifts. It is also a day when we speak about women’s rights and independence.
Women are entering professions that were once considered male, such as driving, factory work, and other technical fields. This represents a new direction in socialization, especially influenced by the realities of the war.
There have also been changes in language and public discussion around gender. We now have more conversations about gender roles and representation in society.
Women today are not seen as responsible only for family life. They continue to contribute to family life, of course, but they also play larger roles in society. Their voices and their rights become stronger each year.
Women now play a very important role in Ukrainian society. I recently read that about 70,000 women are serving in the Ukrainian armed forces. That is a very large number of women who have chosen to defend their homes and their country.
At the same time, the war has created many tragedies. I know many families with children whose husbands have died in the war. Even recently, we saw this among our colleagues—someone who had a successful and stable life suddenly found herself raising her children alone after losing her husband in the war.
She now has many difficulties. It starts with football for her younger son and continues with her older son’s education and direction. She also has two dogs and must take care of everything while caring for her children. It is not easy for women, but they remain strong.
Women today are ambitious, intelligent, and strong. A woman does not want only to be a mother or a wife. She also wants to develop herself and grow in knowledge.
I can say the same about myself. If I am calm and have nothing to do, I feel sad and begin searching for something new to learn or do. Many Ukrainian women see their future as becoming more intelligent, more experienced, and more knowledgeable.
Jacobsen: There was an argument during the Soviet period, sometimes described as women “holding the four corners.” Some people interpreted this to mean that women were expected to work both in and outside the home. In effect, it meant two full-time jobs—one paid and one unpaid.
Kalaitan: In reality, many women and men held two or even three jobs because the economy had to keep running, and life was expensive.
Jacobsen: When you look at Ukrainian society today and when you compare it with developments in the Russian Federation regarding the status of women, there seems to be a divergence. One example often discussed is the weakening of domestic violence protections in Russia.
Personally, I believe that neither husbands nor wives should ever physically abuse their partners. Violence is wrong except in self-defence, and even then, legal authorities should address it.
Setting that aside, in terms of legal, political, and professional status, how have the roles and rights of women diverged between the Russian Federation and Ukraine since the end of the Soviet Union? How have you seen that change during your lifetime?
Kalaitan: Today, we have many training and webinar sessions, and when I have free time, I participate in adult training programs. We have a program called “Maybutnie,” which means “Future” when translated. They offer courses about building a safe country and programs for students in schools.
It is a very interesting and important course. We have helped develop parts of it, and now they also offer versions for adults. They discuss topics such as energy security, identity, and national traditions.
These discussions show how our society has changed since Soviet times. Much of our socialization has shifted from Soviet models to Ukrainian ones.
Jacobsen: There has been a movement toward equality. If you look at objective measures—such as the number of women who have entered the United States’ special forces—it is still a very small number. The physical requirements are extremely demanding, and only a small fraction of men can meet them, so the number of women who can is even smaller.
However, when technological roles expand—such as operating drones or other machinery—those physical barriers become less important. In those cases, it becomes easier to move toward greater equality in military roles.
Historically, we have seen similar patterns during World War II, when women in Europe and North America took on positions previously held by men. Wartime dynamics make social roles more fluid.
How have you seen Ukrainian women—especially those raised in Russia but who identify as Ukrainian citizens—take on these roles? “Gender equality” is a broad term, but people interpret it differently culturally. How have women in Ukraine taken on new roles in ways that feel appropriate within Ukrainian society?
Kalaitan: Ukrainian women and Russian women are now very different. Ukrainian women today have a unity of thought and feeling. We understand the difficult time we are living through, and we share many common goals.
We live in a period when we must be ambitious and free in our intentions. We want to protect our identity and remain Ukrainian. Ukrainian women today are trying to develop in many directions.
A Ukrainian woman today is often described as intelligent, thoughtful, and strong. She wants to look good, dress well, and develop her abilities. She tries to succeed in different areas of life, including business and professions that were once considered difficult or traditionally male.
We see this clearly in the military. Around 70,000 Ukrainian women are serving in the armed forces, fighting for our country. It is not an easy role.
We also appreciate the women who are now alone with their families because their husbands have died in the war. It is a very difficult position. They must raise their children and maintain their families on their own. To do this, they need strong mental resilience, because protecting mental health in such circumstances is not easy.
These women try to find positive things in life and remain strong. Ukrainian society is becoming more effective at supporting development and growth. Many people understand that without this strength, we cannot survive.
Perhaps after the war, women will become an even stronger force in Ukrainian society than they were in previous generations.
Jacobsen: Thank you very much for the opportunity and your time, Olena.
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