Women in the security and defense sector: volunteers who are changing the system

On March 14, Ukraine celebrates Ukrainian Volunteer Day – the day of people who, at a crucial moment, stood up for the defense of the state at their own call. It was the volunteer movement in 2014 that became one of the key factors that helped Ukraine survive at the beginning of the war. We are used to imagining a volunteer as a man with a weapon in his hands. However, the Ukrainian reality is much broader.

Thousands of women are among the volunteers. They joined the defense of Ukraine in 2014, and after the full-scale invasion, their number in the security and defense sector increased significantly. Women serve in the military, work in law enforcement, rescue services, intelligence, medical units, and are engaged in analytics, logistics, and management. Their contribution to the security of the state is an integral part of the common struggle for freedom and independence.

Volunteers as a driver of change

Women who voluntarily joined the security and defense sector have become catalysts for change. Their active participation has helped draw attention to the need for reforms in the system – from reducing the list of positions unavailable to women to adapting infrastructure and equipment.

Over the years, the system has gradually changed. The number of women in various positions is increasing, new opportunities for training and professional development are emerging, and equal opportunities policies are improving.

Why representation is important

The more women work in the security and defense sector, the faster positive transformations occur. Representation matters because it contributes to:

• better adaptation of infrastructure and equipment to the needs of all military personnel,
• shaping policies that take into account different service experiences,
• reducing discriminatory practices,
• improving the effectiveness of the security system as a whole.
  

In other words, gender integration in the security and defense sector is not only a question of equality, but also a question of effectiveness.

Challenges faced by women

Historically, the security and defense sector has been shaped as a predominantly male-oriented environment, which has influenced both institutional rules and the culture within the structures.

At the beginning of the Russian aggression in 2014, many women who were actually performing combat or defense-related tasks were not officially able to hold relevant positions. They were often registered as cooks, seamstresses, or clerks, even if they were performing the work of drone operators or snipers. This meant a lack of appropriate status, limited access to social guarantees, career development opportunities, and recognition of their contributions.

The experience of the first female volunteers helped change the legislation. Women and men are now equal in military service, which opened up military specialties to women and is a manifestation of justice.

Changes in legislation that took place in 2018 allowed women to hold any positions in the ranks of sergeants or non-commissioned officers. Prior to this, on December 21, 2017, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine canceled a list of 450 professions that were previously closed to women. Another key change occurred in 2019 - then girls were allowed to enter military lyceums.

It is important to emphasize: this is not about a “special women’s mission,” but about professionalism. When women occupy positions according to their competencies, the system becomes more effective, diverse, and adaptive.

Experience from different countries shows that institutions with greater gender diversity make more informed decisions and respond better to complex challenges. For Ukraine, which is in the midst of a full-scale war, this is not a theoretical issue - it is a matter of defense effectiveness.

Contribution recognition

On Ukrainian Volunteer Day, it is important to talk about all those who volunteered to defend the country. Among them are women who perform their service every day, save lives, make difficult decisions, and do everything possible for the security of the state.

Recognizing their contribution is an important step towards creating a just and modern society where professionalism, dedication, and responsibility are valued regardless of gender.

Today, women in the security and defense sector are not the exception, but an important part of the system. And the more visible their role becomes, the faster institutions change, the stronger the security sector, and the closer we get to a future where equal opportunities are the norm.

This article was made possible by the support of the Norwegian people through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway (MFA of Norway) within the framework of the project “Building a Gender-Inclusive Recovery with the Women’s Movement of Ukraine” (GEN-Recovery). Responsibility for the content of the information lies with the NGO “La Strada-Ukraine”. The information presented in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway or the Government of Norway.