Following the full-scale invasion in 2022, Oksana’s household faced additional strain when her husband joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As a result, she assumed full responsibility for both family welfare and income generation, relying on her small beekeeping enterprise as a critical source of stability.
Although she had formal education, Oksana first explored beekeeping in 2016 while coping with the psychological impacts of displacement. What began as a personal initiative to learn new skills and regain a sense of direction evolved into a transformative livelihood pathway. Beekeeping provided not only income opportunities but also restored her confidence and sense of purpose.
Participation in the Empower AgriWomen project, implemented by Swisscontact, has been instrumental in strengthening Oksana’s technical and entrepreneurial capacities. Through tailored training, she gained practical knowledge on seasonal colony management, including winter preparation and spring development, which directly improved the productivity and resilience of her apiary.
Equally important, the project enhanced her business skills, expanded her professional network, and increased her motivation to scale her enterprise. Exposure visits and study tours provided valuable insights into diverse agricultural models and helped her recognize the long-term viability of her business.
Today, Oksana represents a compelling example of how women affected by displacement and conflict can transition from vulnerability to economic empowerment when supported with the right tools and opportunities. She is committed to further developing her business, including plans to secure grant financing, invest in land cultivation equipment, and establish a dedicated facility for honey extraction and the production of value-added artisanal products.
Her journey demonstrates that livelihood interventions in agriculture, particularly those targeting women, can deliver both economic and psychosocial benefits, contributing to resilience, self-reliance, and long-term recovery.
This project is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. The project is also supported by additional funding partners, including Katholisch Stadt Zürich.