The article highlights a tragic incident in Lviv, Ukraine, where a 41-year-old woman was fatally stabbed by a neighbor suffering from PTSD after serving in the war. Despite being deemed in need of urgent hospitalization just two days prior, the local psychiatric facilities were overburdened with veterans, leaving opportunities for intervention missed. This incident shines a light on a broader issue regarding the failure of public health systems to address the mental health needs of soldiers returning from conflict, which in turn endangers the lives of women and children in the community.

As the war in Ukraine marks its fourth anniversary, gender violence has cast a heavy shadow on the society. Reports indicate that domestic violence perpetrated by veterans has become a significant social concern, along with the increased risk of sexual violence towards displaced persons. Discrimination against women who voluntarily enlisted to defend their country remains prevalent. The ongoing conflict has forced feminist NGOs to shift their focus from promoting gender equality and minority rights to also providing shelter and care for women, refugees, and the elderly who are at increased risk during wartime.

Activists from feminist organizations, such as La Strada, are working around the clock to provide support through a 24-hour hotline for women facing various crises, a demand that has surged since the onset of full-scale war in February 2022. The article emphasizes that as Ukraine considers rebuilding in the aftermath of the war, the perspectives and needs of vulnerable populations must remain central to the discourse on recovery, calling attention to the crucial role feminist initiatives play in providing safety nets during these tumultuous times.