"You Are Not Alone, Your Pain Is Our Pain." FemSMS Messaging Service Supports Ukrainian Women

Footage's FemSMS is an informational project, specifically for Ukrainian women, launched shortly after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. It focuses on those living in conflict zones, survivors of gender-based violence, or those forced to relocate because of war. FemSMS aims to provide emotional and psychological support, help women overcome trauma, and inform them about ways to maintain their mental and physical health and safety through compassionate SMS messages. 

"The feeling that I am not alone, that someone cares about me," says one of the Ukrainian women who, like many others, faces the challenges of living in a war zone. Thanks to the FemSMS initiative, she feels supported in navigating this difficult experience.

The initiative was implemented by Footage in partnership with non-profit organizations, Project Kesher and Project Kesher Ukraine.

Since the project's launch, Ukrainian women who subscribe to the FemSMS service have received over 15,000 messages. Each one reminding them that they are not alone and that a global community supports them.

"When I help another woman, I save myself." 

"This powerful truth, spoken by one of our Ukrainian FemSMS leaders, reminds us that compassion and connection are not just ideals but lifelines. Those who have experienced trauma and violence need a safe space to know they are not alone, as well as trusted information and resources when seeking help and support. By providing this resource, we hope to make a tangible difference in the lives of women and, through compassion and active participation, empower them to heal from the violence inflicted on them and their families," says Dr. Kristen Ali Eglinton, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Footage Foundation, who designed and created the service. 

"Neuroscience tells us that compassion can rewire our brains for resilience. And indeed, in our programs, we see how it creates lasting change." 

FemSMS, as a Footage project, uses human centred design. That means that it is created in direct collaboration with its subscribers through regular communication and surveys. This ensures that the structure and content of the messages align with the specific needs of Ukrainian women and the realities they face. Additionally, the message authors are Ukrainian women themselves, who have experienced challenging life circumstances due to the war and thus deeply understand the kind of support their fellow citizens need.

For instance, Alyona Ivasyuk, a FemSMS author and leader, and now a young mother, reached out to Ukrainian women even when her husband, a soldier, was defending Ukraine on the front line, and she was carrying their child in one of Ukraine's cities constantly under Russian shelling. "Every message we write goes through us. Of course, it’s not a personal blog; we develop them based on research and various scientific sources. But we also share what helps us personally stay resilient during this time," says Alyona. 

"Our signature opening, which starts each message, goes: "Hello, dear friend! This is your FemSMS." This greeting is intentional. Its goal is to give every woman reading the message a sense of personal connection and understanding — that she is not alone and that a close friend who truly cares about what she feels is by her side, sharing her experience and offering support."

Another FemSMS author and leader, Iryna Vasylchenko, is from Torez in the Donetsk region. She was forced to leave her hometown in 2014 due to Russian occupation and move to Kyiv, hoping to return after a few months. After more than 10 years she still cannot visit her homeland, the graves of her grandparents, or reunite with her parents. "FemSMS is an incredibly important project for both me and our team, as well as for the women it is addressed to. Words can harm, but they can also heal. And it is so important to preserve the human, especially the feminine, heart. I believe we should never underestimate the power of support. It’s crucial when someone believes in you, says the right words, and inspires you. The world supports us, and we must support one another. I hope that as many women as possible learn about our project, subscribe to our messages, and feel this support," she says.

Can simple text messages really help?

For women like Vera, a 40-year-old Ukrainian who woke up on February 24, 2022, to news of borders being blocked, bombs targeting cities, hospitals, and roads, and invading forces taking control, the support was vital.

While seeking safety from the Russian invasion, Vera was already battling violence from her partner. As the threat grew, her phone pinged: "This might be difficult to talk about, but violence against us, women, is part of this invasion. Regardless of whether you have experienced violence, the following text provides reliable resources for seeking help…" Reading this message, Vera immediately felt that she was not alone and had somewhere to turn.

Footage has received dozens of testimonials about the power of support from the FemSMS project, reflecting the initiative’s value and impact.

    "The warmth of the communication in these messages resonates deeply with me. There’s no negativity. Everything is helpful. It feels like virtual friendship, knowing that someone genuinely cares about you."

    "I received a lot of support. The messages are well-balanced, not intrusive. After reading them, I remember the importance of self-care, which then helps me feel ready to help others. You can feel that these messages are written with compassion, so I shared them with others as well."

    "I really like how the messages start. They evoke warm emotions. The topic about anxiety, where it explained the difference between fear and anxiety—Eureka!—Now I understand how to address my problem!"

Women in Ukraine are currently living under incredibly challenging circumstances. Many have husbands, sons, or brothers on the frontlines; some are left alone with small children in their care. Fear for the future, loved ones, and uncertainty fills their hearts. In support, the Footage team asked American women to share words of support for Ukrainian women. 

    "You are not alone; your pain is our pain. We stand with you and will continue doing everything possible to show you that you are loved."

    "Sisters, you face such dangers every day…Our deepest respect to you."

    "We need each other. May your families be your support in these very difficult political circumstances."

FemSMS leader, Iryna, also shared an inspiring and deeply personal message for her fellow Ukrainians.

"It’s so important not to put life on hold until the war ends, telling yourself that now is ‘not the right time.’ From my experience, I can assure you that if I had followed that mindset, I would have had to ‘put my life on hold’ 10 years ago because, for me, the war started back then. And even now, we don’t know how many years it will last…"

"Yes, we all hope for the best, and that’s the right thing to do, but we must live now. We should not feel guilty for someone else’s wrongdoing or let it take away our zest for life."

FemSMS sends compassionate messages via Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp and social media channels. To subscribe and receive messages about safety and well-being in Ukraine, fill out a simple registration form here.