UKRAINE: Gender sensitivity on the front lines – equal opportunities for all

UKRAINE: Gender sensitivity on the front lines – equal opportunities for all

ELIZAVETA GUMENYUK & HANNA BIELIK

Just a few years ago, a woman in military uniform was seen as something of an exception. For many, it was something unusual, even “exotic.” But today, the situation is changing. More and more Ukrainians see female military personnel not as a symbol or an exception, but as professionals who take on the most difficult tasks on an equal footing with men. They command units, work with modern technology, go to the front lines, and prove that strength, endurance, and dedication have no gender. I-VIN.INFO spoke with Lulu, a female soldier who knows from her own experience what it means to overcome stereotypes and earn respect in the military, about how attitudes toward women in the military and society are changing.

“If earlier women in uniform were often seen as ‘exceptions’, now society perceives us as full-fledged warriors,” says Lulu. “For example, NGO “Zemliachky” supports female military personnel. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, when I lost my property in the Kharkiv region, they helped me with uniforms, shoes, and body armor. And that was critically important — because the equipment has to fit you perfectly.”

The media coverage of women in the military is also growing. They are becoming the subject of media stories not in the context of “the weaker sex at war,” but as professionals who perform tasks on a par with men. However, stereotypes remain, not only in society but also among colleagues.

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“Most often you hear: ‘women can’t handle war’, ‘this isn’t women’s work’, or that we’re only here for paperwork. There is also a prejudice that women join the military for attention or to ‘find a husband’. But all this is shattered by reality when they see your training, endurance, and responsibility,“ says Lulu. ”It is important that the military and society understand that gender sensitivity is not a concession, but a matter of safety, efficiency, and respect. When everyone, regardless of gender, has equal conditions and opportunities, it is much easier and more effective to work together.”

Military service for women still has its challenges. These are not only combat challenges, but also everyday and organizational aspects.

“Uniforms and equipment often do not take female anatomy into account. There are cases of skepticism among male colleagues. But the double pressure is most noticeable: you must prove to both the enemy and society that you are no less valuable.”

Lulu is convinced that real support for female military personnel must be comprehensive.

“We need adequate provision and equal opportunities in the service from the state. From society, we need understanding that each of us is a professional in our field, responsible for the lives of others. From colleagues, we need partnership and respect. When you are treated as an equal in the ranks, that is true brotherhood and sisterhood. It is closer than friendship — these people become your second family.”

Her journey in the military began in 2018 when she joined the National Guard of Ukraine. So when full-scale war broke out, she had no doubts.

“For those who had already served, it was a job we had prepared for, trained for, and improved ourselves for. It’s not just a profession — it’s a choice and a responsibility. Being a defender means putting the interests of the country above your own comfort. It means being a support for your brothers and sisters and an example for those girls who are just thinking about serving.”

In the most difficult moments, Lulu is sustained by her belief in victory and her loved ones.

“My comrades and my family support me. My younger sister is fighting in the Zaporizhzhia direction, my father is in the Kharkiv region. And my mother waits for us all at home and takes care of the cats, parrots, and dog that were left behind from each of our rotational directions. Thanks to this support, we don’t give up.”

The war also changed her personal perception of herself.

“I became tougher on myself and at the same time softer towards others. I realized that I have much more inner strength than I thought. And I learned to appreciate simple things even more: sleep, conversations with my family, the opportunity to live here and now, without putting off my dreams for later.”

Lulu’s story is proof that women in the military are no longer an “exception.” She is not just a warrior, but a specialist, an equal among equals. Her example shows that gender sensitivity and respect in the military are no less important than training and courage. Society is gradually learning to see her not as a symbol, but as a person who does her job professionally and with dedication, breaking down stereotypes step by step.

Yelyzaveta Gumeniuk and Hanna Bielik, Journalists I-VIN.INFO

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