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Gender aspects of work in high-risk unisex professions

Gender aspects of work in high-risk unisex professions

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.21, No 2, 2025

https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2025.02.110

Gender Aspects of Work in High-Risk Unisex Professions

V.V. Kalnysh, A.M. Nagorna

State Institution "Kundiiev Institute of Occupational Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine"

Full article (PDF), UKR

Introduction. Unisex professions are those open to both men and women without gender restrictions. The unique requirements for such professions depend on the specific industry, level of responsibility, working conditions, and legal frameworks regulating gender policy in Ukraine and globally, both in peacetime and during wartime.

Purpose. To assess the opportunities and demands of unisex professions performed in high-risk conditions by both men and women without gender limitations, in both peacetime and wartime.

Materials and Methods. The study involved a review of international and national documents on gender policy from 1979–2024, including UN conventions, declarations, resolutions, and protocols, as well as Ukrainian legislation and statistical data. Scientific and epidemiological research findings were also analyzed using resources such as PubMed, OSHA, the ILO, national libraries and statistics, and results from personal research conducted between 1991 and 2024.

Results. A longitudinal study of 619 young adults (65.3% women) from 2013 to 2020 revealed that professional burnout tends to decrease at the beginning of a career, although women show higher initial burnout levels. Gender-specific factors influence these outcomes—motherhood reduces burnout in women, while income and partner support help men. Other research has shown minimal gender differences in workplace stressors, though self-reported data and cross-sectional designs limit causal conclusions. Differences in responses to high-risk work have been observed across many unisex professions such as rescuers, miners, pilots, welders, military personnel, and others.

Conclusions. Many high-risk professions are now unisex and accessible to both men and women. Success in these roles depends not on gender but on physical fitness, psychological resilience, professional competence, and adherence to safety protocols. Special training is essential to manage stress and minimize risks. While no fundamental differences exist in requirements for men and women in such professions, some physiological and social factors may introduce minor distinctions.

Keywords: gender equality, unisex professions, increased danger, impact of stress

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