Zaporizhstal employs many women who, by their own example, prove that the steel industry is moving forward and developing, in particular, thanks to their work, strength, endurance, and professionalism.
Yana Pleshyvenko works as a crane operator in Zaporizhstal's cold rolling shop and has been working at the plant for about 30 years. Yana met her future husband at work, and later Yana's son got a job at the plant. Yana has carried her passion and dedication to her work through her life and passed it on to the next generation of Zaporizhstal's employees.
"Since the start of the full-scale invasion, many of our fellow steelworkers have joined the ranks of the Ukrainian Defence Forces and are now defending our homeland or have been killed in action fighting against the occupiers. However, the enterprise has to work, the industry has to work, so that we can be a pillar for our defenders. That is why we, as women, take on even more responsibilities and approach work with enthusiasm, partly in occupations that are generally considered "male" jobs. Our women are strong and independent professionals who break down stereotypes about "male" and "female" jobs. Because on the path to victory, we are all equal and united," says Yana.
Almost one-third of the Zaporizhstal employees are women, who continue to work, study, take responsibility for their families and become leaders in their teams during active hostilities in Ukraine like they did before the full-scale invasion.
"Working at the steelworks is not easy, but the feeling that you are doing something useful, important, necessary, supporting defenders with your work, protecting the interests of your country in this difficult time for all of us is much more important," says Yana. "I have been working at Zaporizhstal all my life, since I was 18. And there is absolute equality and mutual respect in our team, regardless of position or gender."
Yana says that she joined Zaporizhstal to become independent and prove herself as a real woman of steel.
"I do not regret my decision to choose the steelworks as my first and only job in life. It offers something that is especially appreciated in turbulent times - stability. I feel protected. Working here, we survived the coronavirus epidemic, the crisis, and now during the war we continue to work, because there is a lot of work ahead to restore the country after the coveted victory. And I am sure that women, along with men, will stand at the origins of the birth of a new free and independent Ukraine,” notes Yana.
