The role of women is increasing in the Ukrainian Army as stereotypes are slowly being overcome and some ten thousand currently serve on the front as volunteers, Kateryna Pryimak, deputy director of Veteranka, the Movement of Ukrainian Women Veterans, tells EFE. "Ukrainian women want to be part of the Army. Because it is not only the men's home, it is also our home, it is our children and it is our country," emphasizes thirty-year-old Pryimak.
While the Army has a long way to go when it comes to merit-based career advancement and soldier protection, there have been "big" changes over the past few years. "The presence of a woman in the Army is becoming normal," she adds.
Women did not have access to many senior positions when Pryimak, who is a veteran, participated in the war in Donbas as a volunteer nurse in 2014, when she was 21 years old. That has changed and the large-scale invasion opened another window of opportunity, she says. About 60,000 women work in the military structure, including about 40,000 who serve as soldiers or officers.
Up to 10,000 of them are on the front, half as paramedics, reflecting the traditional perception of the role of women in the Army. Some, however, are combat medics and often have the same combat duties as men.
Some relatively new roles, such as drone operators or snipers, whose numbers have increased exponentially, are also now more open to women, Pryimak says. He believes that the presence of women in the Army raises the issue of excessive dependence on brute force and nevertheless underlines the importance of technology, preparation, knowledge and dignified treatment.
"Progress there benefits all members of the Army, not just women," he adds. In addition to supporting systemic changes, Veteranka responds to specific requests from soldiers for equipment, such as drones, and specific needs, such as women's uniforms and hygiene products.
Veteranka has designed and manufactured women's uniforms since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Last August, the official standard for women's uniforms was introduced.
However, changing attitudes takes more time and effort, Pryimak says, as some men in the military are reluctant to fully accept the presence of women and make the most of their participation. The problem is more pronounced the further one is from the front, he explains. "Even if they don't really agree, they can't go against what society expects. And society is ready for it, women are ready," he says.
At the same time, Pryimak acknowledges that the existential threat facing Ukraine has also reinforced some "archaic" views, according to which men are seen as protectors of women and children, which have in many cases been the reason main reason for many men to enlist in the Army. He emphasizes, however, that "during a war one should not think about whether or not a woman fits into the Army. It is necessary to train them and use their military and professional potential to the fullest."
Most women who have joined the Army since the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion are volunteers. Since October 1, all women with medical training have to give their information at recruitment centers, although the process will take at least three years. "It is something perfectly understandable, because a country at war has to know what reserves it has." says Pryimak. "We don't know how long the war will last or how many losses there will be," she explains.
He thinks it is unlikely that Ukrainian women could be forced into military service and be subject to mobilization. However, he would not be surprised if women without prior military experience began to be mobilized.
