Over the past year, the number of women in the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has increased. Many of them hold leadership positions, with almost 3,800 female officers currently serving.
This was reported by the gender advisor to the commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oksana Hryhoryeva, during a panel discussion on “Women, Peace, and Security – the Defense Sector of Ukraine” at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform.
“The number of women in the military has increased over the past year. Of course, this increase began in 2014 – that was the first wave. And the second wave, which was so powerful, occurred with the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The women who are currently serving in the army are strong, motivated, fearless women who voluntarily joined to defend their homeland”, she said.
According to Hryhoryeva, many women now hold leadership positions. Thanks to legislative changes that were adopted in 2018, women are now allowed to hold combat positions. They also have the opportunity to train in any military specialty.
“We currently have graduations of girls who came to study in 2018 for the specialties they chose. They are already officers, and there is a tendency to increase the number of officers in the Armed Forces. In particular, in the Ground Forces, there are currently 3,788 female officers. And this is a pretty powerful force”, emphasized Hryhoryeva.
She also reminded that the Ministry of Defense is testing a female military uniform. It is still being sewn centrally, but by the end of the year, the process should be launched.
Photo: open sources
