From Victim to Activist: The Portrayals of Ukrainian Refugee Women in Gazeta Wyborcza and Rzeczpospolita During the Full-Scale Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022–2025)

This study examines the portrayal of Ukrainian refugee women in Polish media, specifically in Gazeta Wyborcza and Rzeczpospolita, over three years of the full-scale Russian–Ukrainian war (24 February 2022–24 February 2025). Using an interdisciplinary approach that combines gender studies, critical discourse analysis, and migration studies, the research aims to identify dominant narratives, stereotypes, and framing strategies in media representations of Ukrainian refugee women. A mixed-methods analysis was conducted, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative techniques. A total of 235 articles were manually examined and categorized using a coding scheme that analyzed attitude of voice (positive, neutral, negative), dominant narratives (e.g., victimhood, resilience, economic impact), descriptors (e.g., hard-working, dependent, caring), and framing strategies (humanitarian, security, economic, cultural). Additionally, the study examined how a range of contextual factors—including political discourse, economic conditions, and social dynamics—influenced the framing and specificity of media coverage related to Ukrainian women refugees in Poland. The findings reveal key trends in the representation of Ukrainian refugee women, including their portrayal as victims, economic contributors, or burdens to society. By analyzing the construction of these narratives, this research contributes to a broader understanding of media-driven stereotypes and their impact on social attitudes and policymaking in Poland.