Driving Toward Greater Independence

For two Ukrainian women, learning to drive is about much more than getting from one place to another; it is about mobility, independence, and being ready to help when it matters most.

The Women’s Opportunity Fund of Ukraine, in partnership with Easy Drive Driving School, recently provided free driving training to two Ukrainian women: Olha Chulovska, a project manager with the Cultosvita cultural project, and Olena Baranovska, a military doctor and anesthesiologist working in medical evacuation. Both women completed their training, including theory and hands-on driving lessons.

For Olha, the war has underscored how essential mobility can be. “We realized that mobility is one of the most important factors in unpredictable situations,” she says, noting that transportation across Ukraine cannot always be relied upon during wartime.

For Olena, the skill is directly connected to her work and the safety of those she serves. “At any moment a situation may arise when we need to get behind the wheel... evacuate someone, or go and pick someone up,” she says. “Not knowing how to do this limits you greatly.”

The training gave both women a practical skill that expands their freedom of movement, their ability to work, serve their communities, care for others, and respond when help is needed. For WOF-UA, supporting women means helping them move forward—literally and figuratively.