More than 50,000 women are currently part of Ukraine’s military response to the Russian invasion, with many serving in combat operations. This brutal Russian war, in which women play a significant role in the resistance of the Ukrainian people, has led us to examine the challenges of integrating women into the armed forces, and their evolving military role. Complex issues relating to gender integration arise as more countries open the door for women to serve in various military roles: promoting an enabling environment for women’s military service, and the continuous development of legislation and policies. There is also the question of how gender integration impacts military effectiveness, including physical standards; how this affects unit cohesion and combat readiness; the challenges women face in pursuing careers in combat roles – cultural biases, harassment, and the need for gender-sensitive training. What systems can be put in place to meet challenges faced by women serving in the armed forces? What lessons can be learnt and how can we recognise best practice? What must be done to overcome the gender gap?
LGen Frances Allen, Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Canada
H.E. Rappaport Palgi, Ambassador of Israel to Latvia
Col Liudmyla Kulchytska, Colonel of the Security Service of Ukraine
Vineta Kleine, Head of the NATO Information and Documentation Centre, Kyiv, Ukraine
Moderator: Magdalena Jakubovska, Vice President and Director of Operations at the Res Publica Foundation