Portrait exhibition: Ukrainian women are shaping Berlin's future!

Portrait exhibition: Ukrainian women are shaping Berlin's future!

A special exhibition will open in Zehlendorf Town Hall on September 19, 2025, presenting 23 portraits and stories of Ukrainian women. These artists and activists bring their experiences from various cities and regions of Ukraine to Berlin, including Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Kharkiv and Mariupol. The exhibition shows how these women find political participation in their new home and become an important part of Berlin society.

The stories of those portrayed are characterized by origins and new beginnings. Many of them are actively involved in advisory boards, committees and associations and are committed to human rights and the promotion of multilingualism. Their professions range from representatives and teachers to journalists and entrepreneurs. Some have lived in Berlin for a long time, while others only fled after the Russian invasion. Migration is seen as an enrichment for the city, bringing new perspectives and increased commitment, as berlin.de reports.

Commitment through Fempoint

One of the women who benefit from the integration offers is Nataliia Martynova. She came to Germany in 2022 and initially struggled with exhaustion and a lack of prospects, but has found the courage to live again through the Fempoint project. Fempoint supports Ukrainian women in integrating into the labor market through offers such as job coaching and workshops. Funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, the project helped over 3,600 women visit the Fempoint Café. Since it started, 91 women have taken part in the job coaching. nd-aktuell.de emphasizes how important such structures are for the social well-being of refugee women.

The results of a current BAMF study show that around a million people, especially women and children, have sought refuge in Germany since the Russian war of aggression began on February 24, 2022. The employment rate among refugees from Ukraine is on the rise, although there are still hurdles due to a lack of childcare options and difficulties in recognizing foreign qualifications. [bamf.de](https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Press Releases/DE/2025/250303-forschungsbericht-ukrainische-gefluechtete.html) reports that 94 percent of non-employed refugees aspire to enter the labor market.

Challenges in integration

However, integrating refugee women is not always easy. 19.4 percent reported depressive symptoms, indicating the psychological stress of fleeing and starting over. The proportion of single mothers with underage children has fallen significantly, unsurprising given the difficult conditions associated with this. The study also shows that many refugees, although they are highly qualified, often have to work below their original level of work.

Overall, the exhibition in the Zehlendorf town hall is a sign of the diversity and commitment of Ukrainian women in Berlin. It invites people to recognize political participation as a common space - regardless of origin or residence status. The goal remains clear: to promote social participation and integration of refugee women and to give them a voice in their new home. The start on September 19th promises inspiring insights and exchange between different communities.