麻豆社

The women of Ukraine are on the frontline in many respects. They make up the majority of those fleeing abroad to escape the war and protect their children. They are also increasingly keeping Ukrainian society functioning, as more and more men are conscripted into the army to fight. The Witches of Bucha, as they call themselves, are a volunteer air defence unit made up almost entirely of women, now helping to protect Ukraine鈥檚 skies.

On this episode, Katya Adler is joined by the 麻豆社鈥檚 Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford, who has just returned from a reporting trip to Bucha, and 麻豆社 Journalist Olga Malchevska, who is from Ukraine. They look at how Ukrainian women have been stepping up and filling the gaps left behind by the country鈥檚 men at war. They also discuss how the conflict may change traditional gender roles in Ukraine.

Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Hannah Montgomery

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson