Towards equal opportunity for women in the defence sector

71 p : graphsThe report finds that many Member States have taken steps to advance gender equality and increase women's participation in their national defence sectors, including by developing gender-specific policies and action plans, lifting restrictions on the roles and positions open to women in the military, and making armed forces employment more desirable, supportive and equitable. This report showcases some of these national initiatives, drawing from case study interviews on good practices conducted with 18 Member States as well as a survey on the status of women in defence that was completed by 55 Member States. However, the report also finds that barriers to the recruitment, retention, career development and the promotion of women in defence institutions remain at all levels of defence institutions. In many armed forces, social-cultural values, policy, institutional culture and informal practices prevent women's full, equal and meaningful participation. Realizing these objectives requires more than legal and policy changes. The barriers to equality women face in the defence sector are entwined with and reflective of gender inequalities present across society more broadly. It therefore requires a cultural shift to overcome deep-rooted gender stereotypes, a redefinition of what "security" entails, as well as reimaging how the defence sector can ensure gender-responsive operations.