Women in the Ideology and Practice of the OUN (1929—1941): From “Invisibility” to Mobilization

Abstract

The goal is to explore the ideological, institutional, sociocultural, and gender aspects of women’s participation in the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) during 1929—1941. Methodology. The research relies on interdisciplinary approaches, combining tools from the history of ideas, social history, military anthropolog y, and gender studies. The study conducts a critical analysis of primary sources, including programmatic documents, memoirs, official OUN press, ideological works, and archival materials. Scientific novelty. This article is the first comprehensive study in Ukrainian historiography to systematically investigate the complex and ambivalent gender policy of the OUN, highlighting the tension between traditionalist ideolog y and the active, though often underacknowledged, roles women played within the nationalist underground. Main results. The study finds that the OUN leadership never developed a coherent political line regarding women, yet in practice, women engaged significantly in propaganda, reconnaissance, communications, and at times, combat. Particular focus is given to the influence of European totalitarian ideologies on OUN gender perceptions, the interaction with women’s organizations such as the Union of Ukrainian Women, and the individual contributions of prominent female nationalists like O. Teliha, O. Basarab, K. Zarytska, and D. Hnatkivska. The analysis also outlines how shifts in the political context and internal transformations of the nationalist movement reshaped female roles. Conclusions. Contradictions marked the OUN’s gender policy: while official documents reflected conservative values, operational needs necessitated women’s involvement in key functions. Although women rarely attained leadership positions, they were vital actors in sustaining the organization’s activity. The study underlines the importance of reassessing stereotyped narratives about women in the Ukrainian nationalist movement and recognizes their substantial contribution to the struggle for national liberation.