Women Warriors: Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine and the Status Change of Women’s Rights and Roles in the Ukrainian Army

Abstract

The article examines the legal framework regulating the rights and roles of women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine amid contemporary challenges, especially following the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The study reviews the legal basis starting from Ukraine’s adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace, Security” in 2016 and the implementation of national action plans aimed at ensuring gender equality in the security and defense sector. Particular attention is given to legislative changes that expanded women’s access to all military positions, including combat and leadership roles, and the introduction of gender-sensitive language in Ministry of Defense documents. The methodology is based on the analysis of official documents, reports, interviews with military personnel and representatives of civil society organizations, and comparisons with NATO countries’ experiences.
The results show significant progress in women’s legal rights, yet practical implementation faces challenges such as gender stereotypes, insufficient qualifications of personnel responsible for gender issues, and lack of adequate conditions and equipment for female soldiers. Conclusions emphasize the need to adopt best practices from NATO countries, establish specialized councils within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, conduct gender equality training, and monitor compliance with anti-discrimination policies. The study also recommends increasing the media visibility of female soldiers to support gender equality and raise societal awareness.