What do women say about gender equality in the security and defense sector?

When we talk about women’s representation in decision-making processes, we need to talk about human rights and justice. If to date we do not have equal representation of women and men in representative bodies (and I want to remind you that women make up almost 54% of the total population of Ukraine), then something is definitely “wrong.” Today, although the current Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has the most significant representation of women MPs in the history of Ukraine, we still have a situation where of the 23 current Committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, only three Committees are headed by women, in three more Committees, women hold the positions of first deputy chairwomen and are secretaries of Committees. Which means that representation of women in these positions is approximately 13% of the total number of posts.

To fully represent the interests of all groups of voters, both women, and men, it is necessary to guarantee the full participation of women MPs in parliament, including the opportunity to participate and hold senior positions in the Verkhovna Rada Committees, etc. It is also important to remember our international obligations. In particular, in the context of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal №5. Gender equality. Task 5.4. Ensure equal opportunities for representation at higher levels of decision-making in political and social life). In general, the always balanced representation of women and men at the decision-making level, including security and defense, means a better consideration of different groups of women and men’s interests and needs — accordingly more fair, effective and sustainable solutions.

My family has a partnership from the very beginning, so I can realize myself professionally and develop. As for professional life, I see progress on the example of local elections. Many men were skeptical about quotas and whether there would be the required number of professional women. But finally, women have been able to compete effectively with men, and we must continue to provide women with this opportunity for self-realization and real influence over decisions.

The issue of gender equality in the security sector is complex, and it is essential to look at it that way. The point of equality is not only about numbers, statistics, and representation. It is also about skills and values, mechanisms, institutions, and, of course, legislative work.

And here we are inspired by the experience of NATO’s implementation of the “Women, Peace & Security” agenda. More than 90% of NATO countries have opened all military specialties and positions for women. For example, Norway did so back in 1985. The problems of harassment are spoken out loud, and precise mechanisms have been developed to combat gender-based violence in Norway since then.

Among the priority problems that need to be addressed are the following:

• the low representation of women in peace processes;
• cultural, value, infrastructural, and domestic barriers that prevent women from fully realizing themselves in the security and defense sector;
• the low representation of women in management positions in the security and defense sector;
• lack of effective systematic monitoring and control of the implementation of already approved documents;
• untimely adoption of legal documents aimed at ensuring gender equality in the security and defense sector (example – Annual National Program under the auspices of the NATO-Ukraine Commission for 2020, which was prepared in late 2019 but adopted in late May 2020) ;
• sexism and impunity for sexual harassment;
• lack of definition of sexual violence during the conflict;
• gender-blind programs for supporting veterans, IDPs, political prisoners, hostages, and prisoners of war which do not consider the specific needs and interests of women and men.

Each year, the UN determines the theme of International Women’s Day. In 2021, it is “Women’s Leadership: Approaching an Equal Future in the World during a Pandemic.”

In Ukraine, nurses, doctors, social workers, postwomen, saleswomen, pharmacists, teachers – hundreds of thousands of women and girls overcome illness and circumstances every day and are already leaders of their lives.

It is only necessary not to stop, study every day, improve, and set more ambitious goals, even if they seem unattainable to someone at the moment.

And it is essential to support each other. In our platform “Security. Women. Peace “we understand the value of such solidarity and networking. These faith and support give us the strength and inspiration to move forward.

Numerous studies show that mixed groups are the most productive and balanced. Accordingly, the same applies to the parliament and our Committee. A particular focus, perception, uniqueness of experience, which differ in men and women, add value.

We focus on gender equality in the security and defense sector. In particular, a joint initiative was recently launched to correct certain inconsistencies in the legislation and to give women access to all positions and opportunities in the security sector. So that opportunities remained at the choice of the woman.

Throughout my life, I did not experience any particular obstacles to work. However, there are additional challenges. I met with a biased perception from men, especially in 2014, when the mobilization took place, then while working in the Ministry of Defense, then in parliament. I am in charge of reforming the intelligence services of the Security Service of Ukraine, and this is a “secret caste” where there are no women in leadership roles. With one exception, the current Minister of Veterans Affairs. However, the exceptions only confirm the rule.

I do not believe that there are critical obstacles in our society, particularly in the security and defense sector, that need to be addressed. The main thing is gradual development.

Gender balance is needed everywhere. But it must be natural. I would also like more responsibility from the women themselves. Unfortunately, we often have situations in the security and defense sectors when the wife of the brigade commander holds a comfortable position that does not require particular activity. This kind of nepotism is common in the security sector. It forms prejudice and a particularly negative image of the woman. And those girls and women who have dreamed of being in military positions all their lives have additional obstacles because of that negative image.

In 2015, when I was mobilized, I met rejection of my active role from women. The responsibility for giving women more opportunities and rights in the security and defense sector lies with men, civil society organizations, and women themselves.

Never give up!

Personally, during the war, I mainly felt an increased level of care and desire to protect. The other side of the coin is the rejection of a woman who can be knowledgeable in military affairs. It is common, mainly in middle and senior command. It is more a tribute to the Soviet legacy that a girl cannot be competent in military affairs. Here everything is solved by time and examples of women who have achieved a high level of competence and real achievements during the war.

Having experienced the events that began in 2014, we see that everyone has found a place in the “defense” of the Motherland. Some were engaged in medicine, some in providing, some in psychological support. Therefore, it is essential to be ready from school because it can help. For example, the bandaging skills I learned in medicine class in 10-11 grades helped me a lot.

I don’t think it’s necessary to force women into units, especially in combat or high-risk positions. The nominal presence of women in office solely for gender equality does not benefit the country’s defense capabilities. We have cases where women waive some of the Statute’s responsibilities, referring, for example, to “critical days” every week or something, thus taking advantage of ignorance and caution on the part of men.

We have, for example, the experience of the Marines, when the girls, including Oleksandra Bezsmertna, overcame the obstacle course with everyone and received a “black beret” of Marines on equal terms with men.

It is necessary to provide separate regular barracks with facilities for women. The maternity leave of military personnel is also essential but this issue has not yet been resolved. If we are talking about equality in the army, these problems must be solved first.

As soon as I went to military service and studied in Starychi, I heard words from men: “Why did you come here? You have to cook borscht at home and take care of your husband and children”. The older generation of the military had prejudices that girls would be treated with concessions. But girls trained on an equal footing with everyone. We did everything we were told. We didn’t cry all the time, as the men expected. But that was in 2016. Then the attitude changed.

Yes. Ukraine is our home, and we must defend it.

Women in the army are now treated much better. Previously, women held positions only as cooks, doctors, and liaison officers. Now the girls can be platoon commanders. In 2016, girls were very selectively admitted to military service because men did not want to take women to the anti-terrorist operation. When my training ended in 2016, and I had to be transferred to a permanent deployment for military service, I was not taken to one of the brigades because “the commander forbade taking girls”.

During the anti-terrorist operation, I began to work as a cook, then became the senior cook, and wanted to become the head of the cook’s department. But then this position was held by a guy who did not even know how to cook. He was a driver. I asked our commander if I could become the head of the cooks’ department. He answered: “Are you a guy? Can you drive a car? The head of the department should be a guy”. That’s how my ambitions were immediately “cut off.”

After the injury (which Olya received in 2017, after which her leg was amputated – ed.), I continued my military service at the military registration and enlistment office. I was a senior soldier. I had a great desire to study, get the rank of officer and continue to serve.

I joined the army weighing 37 kg, but I never heard that I was a woman and “it’s none of my business”.

Indeed, I believe that such questions should never arise at all. It doesn’t matter what gender you are, what kind of specialist you are.

Gender equality is not a position, not a title, not a gender. First of all, it is knowledge and skills.

Unfortunately, it happens that women usually (in the case of combat units) delegate their responsibilities to the platoon’s chief sergeants.

Women have long been able to hold various positions. It’s just that not all of them fully understand what gender equality is in the defense sector.

I would suggest changing the approach. You want to be a tank gunner – you go through 45 days of training, charge it by yourself, service the tank – and that’s all, you get a position. But will every woman be able to load a gun weighing 45 kg?