discrimination is a reality in viktoria kikot's profession. she is determined to break down those barriers and is becoming a trailblazer in her line of work. viktoria is showing that gender equality is not only fair, it is essential. reporter: each time she starts work is a moment of validation for viktoria kikot. she is ukraine's first female train co-driver. until recently, sexist regulations banned women from the job -- it was considered risky to their reproductive health. now in the war, it really is dangerous for everyone on the trains. viktoria: it's hard mentally and physically because you very often hear the air raid siren. i've even seen when missiles hit. we try to suppress these emotions and continue our work because it's not just about our lives. the lives of the passengers sitting behind us also depend on us. reporter: viktoria had to try many times before she could even study for her dream job. viktoria: i was applying to many universities and colleges and asking if they could teach me, and everyone said the same thing -- “no, you

discrimination is a reality in viktoria kikot's profession. she is determined to break down those barriers and is becoming a trailblazer in her line of work. viktoria is showing that gender equality is not only fair, it is essential. reporter: each time she starts work is a moment of validation for viktoria kikot. she is ukraine's first female train co-driver. until recently, sexist regulations banned women from the job -- it was considered risky to their reproductive health. now in the war, it really is dangerous for everyone on the trains. viktoria: it's hard mentally and physically because you very often hear the air raid siren. i've even seen when missiles hit. we try to suppress these emotions and continue our work because it's not just about our lives. the lives of the passengers sitting behind us also depend on us. reporter: viktoria had to try many times before she could even study for her dream job. viktoria: i was applying to many universities and colleges and asking if they could teach me, and everyone said the same thing -- “no, you