Every day, nearly 3,800 female employees at Metinvest Iron Ore plants in Kryvyi Rih and contractor organisations perform essential work alongside their male colleagues. Under challenging conditions, they do physically demanding work that requires high levels of professionalism, precision, patience, and attention to details. Meanwhile, they continue to inspire those around them, support their families, and create a unique, comfortable atmosphere in both their work teams and homes.

Olena Belan is the only one woman in a management team of Metinvest's mining department staffed merely with men. She leads a large division with hundreds of specialists responsible for ensuring technologically accurate production processes and delivering consistently high-quality products to consumers of Iron Ore plants. Her department significantly impacts the reputation and competitiveness of their plants. The work here naturally aligns with traditionally feminine qualities.

"Quality assurance and customer focus come naturally to women because they are inherently caring and concerned – especially when it comes to our customers. Currently, we are maintaining the stable product quality level we achieved at the end of last year. Our main task today is to uphold this standard and continue improving. Of course, we are also ready to expand our customer geography, as there are promising markets we are closely monitoring. All this is possible thanks to the efforts of our departments and skilled specialists, particularly the women in our technology offices, quality control departments, and chemical laboratories. Like bees, they work diligently every day, contributing significantly to our overall production success. I am fortunate to work with such high-caliber professionals. While production has traditionally been seen as a male domain, time is increasingly blurring gender boundaries, highlighting professionalism, personal calling, and dedication.

For me, spring always signals new beginnings: the birth of fresh ideas and energy for achievements. It is about feeling renewed motivation after a cold winter. These are very feminine energies, which is why it is my favorite season. I feel inspired to create, plant flowers, beautify my home and yard, prepare exquisite dishes... All these activities resonate with me, and I happily devote my weekends to these rejuvenating pursuits, distracting myself from worrying news. But you know, since the full-scale war began, every new spring – now for the third year – brings stronger, more confident hope. We look forward to returning to peaceful life and work, reuniting families, and Ukraine achieving victory," shared Olena BELAN, Technology and Quality Director at Metinvest Iron Ore Plants.

Tetiana Haidryk has been working on the Northern Iron Ore railroad since 2002: initially with a contractor organization before joining the plant's staff. Her supervisor, Leonid Tynin, describes her as an experienced professional, responsible team leader, and inspiring mentor who readily shares knowledge with younger colleagues. Now, during a staffing shortage, she has taken on additional responsibilities. Tetiana organizes her team, oversees work completion, and works directly "in the field," adjusting equipment and maintaining railroad devices outdoors in all weather conditions. Recently, Tetiana received an award from the Ternivka District Council for her professionalism and dedication.

"I have been working here for many years and I truly like my profession and speciality. I feel like fish in a water here. I know everything inside out. Otherwise, I would not have stayed in this field for so long or been able to fulfill my responsibilities so conscientiously. Mostly, I have worked as an electrician, always going where my help was needed, where something was not working and needed fixing. Most of my colleagues are men – we're friends and work well together. As a team leader, I am responsible for task assignment and clearing for work. This year, I have trained two apprentices from scratch. They are women. I get along well with youth, and even my own child sees me as a friend. She is proud of me and respects my challenging work. I am grateful that my contribution is valued. Also, I am enjoying these first truly warm days and spring sunshine. My mood is completely different now, I want to wear a dress and put on heels. That is exactly what I did when receiving my award. Spring feels like turning a new page for me. New hopes. I want simple things: peaceful work, all our defenders returning home alive, and people coming to work at our company. May spring bring us comforting news and joyful events," shared Tetiana HAIDRYK, an electrician for repair and maintenance of signalling, centralization, and blocking devices at the Northern Iron Ore Plant's railway transport department.

The profession of conveyor operator requires exceptional vigilance and responsibility, sometimes along with physical endurance. Daria Haidash works as a surface conveyor operator at the Kolachevsky Mine of Metinvest's Central Iron Ore Plant. She oversees a network of conveyor belts. A dedicated worker, at home Daria is a mother of three children aged 12, 15, and 16, managing both her household and family. She also patiently waits for her husband, who has been on the frontlines for three years and previously worked at the Northern Iron Ore Plant.

"I transferred to the mine from the crushing plant four years ago. I have gotten used to this profession now. Although it is not easy, the upside is that you're constantly active. This job requires responsibility, attentiveness, skill, and quick reactions. I regularly perform inspections, which take about 30-40 minutes each time, clear spills, and sometimes need to apply physical strength and use tools. I monitor the equipment, and if something is not right, my task is to inform my supervisor as quickly as possible. We do everything necessary to prevent equipment downtime and ensure everything works properly.

Spring for me primarily means new concerns. Anyone who lives in their own house knows how much work there is to do in spring. Just planting the garden is a significant undertaking. But in spring, it is always easier to breathe; I can distract myself from thoughts and worries about my husband, who has been fighting for years now. I wish this war would end soon so he could return. And I wish all defenders would return to their families, wives, and children," says Daria HAIDASH, conveyor operator at the Kolachevsky Mine of the Central Iron Ore Plant, expressing her deepest desire.