INTERVIEW
Buildings are damaged by a Russian drone attack in Dnipro, Ukraine, on August 7, 2025. Four people were injured and several fires broke out due to a Russian drone attack on the city of Dnipro on the night of August 6-7. Photo by Mykola Miakshykov / Ukrinform
Ukraine was 47.8 %, 4 while in Europe it was 67.7 %, 5 underlining the existing gender imbalance in the Ukrainian workforce. With many men mobilized into the army since February 2022, there is a shortage of experienced personnel, creating an urgent need to expand opportunities for women in these sectors. In addition, around 6.9 million Ukrainian refugees remain abroad, further putting a strain on Ukraine’ s economy. 6
However, women cannot automatically replace men in these fields due to a lack of sufficient experience and expertise. In working with women, we want to help them either enter or reenter the market. It’ s really a long-term game, but we need to start it now to achieve the results and to have a more prosperous economy in the future.
AT: Many describe taking the CAMS certification examination as demanding. You recently received your CAMS certification following a particularly harrowing experience ― a Russian air raid that ended just minutes before the exam began. How were you able to successfully complete the exam?
OI: Sometimes, you don’ t have a choice. And now I understand how privileged I am to be able to take this test in peace ― even if it’ s between air raid sirens at home ― rather than fighting on the front lines or witnessing bombs firsthand, as many of my peers are experiencing.
CFI’ s motto is“ We support the resilience and integrity of Ukraine’ s financial system.” The word resilience has taken on a much deeper meaning ― it’ s a word now used to describe all Ukrainians( стійкість). It reflects not just our ability to endure, but our determination to keep going, to adapt and to build something better, even in the darkest of times.
I did not take the opportunity to take the exam for granted. Some of my Ukrainian peers would love to have taken it, but were not able to because they › re on the front line. That’ s why I also felt like I needed to do it for them. Because it’ s not only you taking the test ― you’ re also representing your country on a larger level.
AT: Despite the numerous challenges Ukraine has encountered, what are some of the AFC successes and what measures has Ukraine taken to strengthen its AFC regime?
36 acamstoday. org