Over the past two years, the involvement of women in the Ukrainian army has seen a remarkable threefold increase. The ongoing Russian war against Ukraine has not only shaped the military but has also led to a notable feminisation of the officer corps, bringing about consequential shifts in societal dynamics, albeit with some lingering stereotypes.
Presently, a force of over 43,000 women is serving in the military, marking an increase of 12,000 from 2021 and nearly 29,000 from the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions in 2015. This surge in female military participation has unfolded gradually, accompanied by corresponding legislative changes in Ukraine. Among the most significant are:
- The “Ensuring Equality of Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men” law that has enabled women to ascend to leadership roles and serve until the age of 60;
- Permission to pursue a university degree with a military emphasis has been granted, allowing individuals to receive comprehensive professional training at all levels (since 2019);
- The “Approving Amendments to the List of Military Accounting Specialities for Officers” decree which removed all the restrictions imposed previously on female personnel regarding their choice of military roles (the recent positions open to women in the Armed Forces were submarine divers, firefighters, and explosive substance technicians);
- Implementation of mandatory military registration for women began in 2021. Following the large-scale Russian invasion, the number of women in the armed forces experienced a significant upswing, with 7,000 women joining the army by July 2022. Previously, the only similar occurrence in the years of war in the east and south of Ukraine happened in 2014. However, when it comes to the substantial presence of women in the Ukrainian military, has there been a shift in society’s perception of it and its overall awareness?
The role of women in war undergoes shifts corresponding to different periods and changing circumstances. In practice, female military personnel enjoy almost identical rights and responsibilities as their male counterparts: they are provided with uniforms customised to their needs and physical features, and in the media, the voices of Ukrainian women soldiers resonate more prominently than ever before.
“In 2018, more than half of respondents agreed that women in Ukraine should have the same opportunities as men to work in the armed forces and other military formations. By 2023, this opinion has become much more popular. In fact, nearly a year after the large-scale invasion, half of the surveyed individuals fully agreed with this statement. In other words, absolute support for equal rights and opportunities for women and men involved in the armed forces and other military formations has doubled over the past four and a half years of war. And this is not surprising, as, for nearly 10 years of war, an increasing number of women have been joining the ranks of Ukrainian Armed Forces,” explains Tamara Marceniuk, a specialist in gender studies and sociology, in a commentary for The Ukrainian Week/Tyzhden.
Women actively take on roles in the armed forces, either wielding weapons in direct combat or holding positions where handling armament is not always necessary. They pursue education in military schools and aim to become professionals in their military career. The absence of predetermined roles for women underscores the need to enhance Ukraine’s overall capabilities, adapting them to the demands imposed by external circumstances.
“It is interesting to examine the results of a public opinion poll regarding the willingness of Ukrainians (both men and women) to resist the armed aggression and to end the Russian occupation of Ukraine. In general, the majority of Ukrainians (both men and women) are willing to do so. If we combine the “completely ready” and “rather ready” responses, we find that 70,2% are willing to resist armed aggression. Of course, it is predominantly men who choose these options. We observe that 77,4% of men and 64,3% of women are ready to take up arms. This constitutes the majority of Ukrainians,” notes Tamara Marceniuk.
Women are entering a space that is constantly evolving under their influence. This includes both the physical space (barracks and military bases), where the environment is tailored to the needs of both women and men and a discursive, conversational space in which society’s reaction to those changes is shaped. Women are ready to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces and are actively doing so, reforming the country’s military sphere and enhancing it professionally. This extends far beyond combat units on the front line, encompassing higher education establishments located in non-combat zones.
Lawyer Iryna Kvaskova is one of those who decided to study at a military educational institution. On several occasions, she had contemplated acquiring military skills; her decision was supported by her brother Eugene, a volunteer and fighter in the 207th Territorial Defense Battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who died in April 2023 while defending Ukraine. Iryna decided on a military career after the liberation of the Kyiv Oblast: “For a year and a half, I’ve reassured myself about my decision, especially when it comes to choosing a combat specialisation [artillery – Ed.]. The Academy’s military department does not require its students to join the Armed Forces but only provides a military specialisation in addition to a civilian profession. However, a large-scale war is raging in Ukraine. The responsibility to defend our homeland is shared equally by both women and men. We do not know where and when an escalation might occur; we do not know who might end up in the war zone. Everyone must be ready to actively participate in the defence forces,” Iryna says to The Ukrainian Week/Tyzhden.
She acknowledges that she still faces stereotypes regarding her choice to study at a military institution: “Some people think that I am here after an adventure and an adrenaline rush only. Others tend to romanticise the war and believe that I am eager to be at ground zero”, adds Iryna. Nevertheless, she asserts that these perceptions are limited to the social circles outside of her academy and are not prevalent within the institution itself. Students, teachers, and colleagues comprehend Iryna’s decision and hold it in high regard. Women willing to serve in Ukraine’s Armed Forces and other military units should have the same opportunities as men.
There is a kind of double glass ceiling, similar to the well-known concept of the glass ceiling (used to denote invisible barriers limiting the professional advancement of disadvantaged individuals), which creates invisible obstacles for women wishing to access conventionally ‘male’ professions. In Ukraine, the first ceiling has been broken: society understands that women have the right and the opportunity to actively engage in the military in any capacity where they have the corresponding skills. Yet, the second ceiling still exists: there is still a perception that women decide to join the army on a whim or simply to spice up their lives. However, women’s motivation is no different from men’s: it is to defend their homeland, loved ones, and those unable to protect themselves. The yearning for protection and self-defence is universal, transcending gender distinctions.
“No one is surprised by female combat doctors, even though it is an extremely difficult and risky job. However, people are still surprised to see a woman in a combat or command position. Yet, the number of women in the armed forces has been constantly increasing, especially since February 24, 2022. These women are catalysts for change, both in terms of equal professional opportunities and the accurate perception of military women in our society,” notes Iryna Kvaskova.
The role of women has changed during the war, or more accurately, has become more comprehensive, opening up opportunities that were previously farther from their reach. This role will almost certainly undergo changes after the war’s end, as the goals, reactions, and responses to upcoming challenges will be entirely different.
The greatest challenge is to regard individuals, whether women or men, without leaning on their gender, devoid of sexist prejudices, and free from unfounded dogmas that prescribe suitable human activity based on mythical notions. “The war continues, and it would be naive not to prepare for a military specialisation where one can be most useful. I believe I can contribute as a journalist, editor, or manager. So, I decided to enrol in the academy’s military department. I do not regret my choice,” said Anna Gerych, another student of the Military College. In Ukraine, life unfolds against the persistent question of “how can I help?”—a query already answered by the women who joined the army, regardless of their roles.
