Recognizing that gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but also a cornerstone of peace, prosperity, and sustainability, the in 2000 adopted the groundbreaking on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). The resolution urges countries to actively promote women's full and meaningful participation in all aspects of peace and security processes.
To achieve “all aspects of peace and security processes,” we must strive for equal representation of women in critical areas like politics, defence, and other decision-making roles. Furthermore, it's crucial to ensure that peace agreements prioritise the protection of women and girls from violence, exploitation, and other crimes, while also empowering them to actively contribute to peacebuilding efforts.
Although progress has been made, gender equality in the defence sector remains elusive. A new United Nations study, “Towards Equal Opportunity for Women in the Defence Sector,” examines the advancements, persistent barriers, and opportunities for women's participation in the defence sectors of over 50 countries.
Against the backdrop of record-breaking global military spending and nearly 25 years since the adoption of the WPS agenda, the report highlights three crucial takeaways on the current state of women's involvement in defence. It underscores the urgent need for greater efforts to ensure equal opportunities for all.
1. The persistent gender gap in defence
Though traditionally male-dominated, the defence sector—including the army, air force, and navy—has seen a rise in the number of women serving over the decades. The report highlights that in 2023, 13 per cent of defence ministers in the world were women. Furthermore, there was a 27 per cent increase in women's representation in armed forces between 2016 and 2022.
The notable rise signifies a growing recognition of women's capabilities and their invaluable contributions to peace and security. But the progress has been relatively slow.
Today, the gender gap remains significant—in 2022, women represent a mere 12 per cent of army personnel, 15 per cent of the air force, 14 per cent of the navy, and 16 per cent of the gendarmerie. Their representation in senior leadership positions is particularly stark—about 97 per cent of generals and admirals are men. How can militaries truly protect and empower women without women's voices shaping their decisions?
“In today’s dynamic and ever-evolving security landscape, the integration of gender perspectives within military operations is no longer a choice but a strategic imperative,” says the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
A global shortage of women in militaries also undermines the UN's efforts to achieve gender parity in its peacekeeping operations. Despite the generous from countries, women account for only 9 per cent of the more than 55,000 military personnel currently deployed.
2. Entrenched barriers to gender equality
“The world will be a better place with gender equality,” declares Commodore Faustina Anokye, the highest-ranking female officer in the history of the Ghanaian navy and former Deputy Force Commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara. Highlighting the persistent challenges women in defence face, she adds, “we must continue to challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, expose biases, and champion inclusion.”
The report reveals that women often lack access to higher military education and are disproportionately relegated to support roles rather than combat positions. In 2022, for example, only 3 per cent of air force personnel engaged in higher defence studies were women.
Furthermore, many countries maintain laws or regulations that explicitly bar women from combat roles in areas such as infantry, armoured units, field artillery, combat air force, special forces, and submarine posts. This exclusion from combat effectively prevents women from accessing most command and senior leadership positions.
The report also underscores the pervasive issue of sexual misconduct and abuse within the military. While many countries have strengthened complaint and accountability mechanisms, these measures are only effective if paired with robust enforcement and genuine efforts to transform institutional culture.
Women in the military are vital to building peace and security, especially in conflict zones where violence against women is widespread. Their presence inspires hope and demonstrates that women can be powerful agents of change.
3. Gender equality should not be an exception but the norm
Sustainable peace cannot be achieved without gender equality. Countries must prioritise the inclusion of women in defence institutions, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a fundamental requirement for building truly inclusive and secure societies.
Empowering women in the defence sector unlocks their potential to contribute to more effective and responsive security strategies. The UN actively supports countries in this process, offering expertise and resources to foster institutional change and dismantle the barriers that hinder women's full participation.
The report examines initiatives undertaken nationally to strengthen equal opportunities for women in defence. Some of the good practices identified include: assessing barriers to women’s participation in armed forces; strengthening childcare support; offering pre-recruitment training; setting recruitment targets; establishing all-women training or platoons to offer culturally-sensitive alternatives; conducting inclusive information campaigns; and ensuring that candidates who have committed human rights violations are excluded from recruitment.
Achieving true gender equality in defence requires a transformation that goes beyond laws and policies. The barriers women face in this sector are deeply intertwined with broader societal inequalities. Overcoming them demands a fundamental cultural shift—one that challenges entrenched stereotypes, redefines our understanding of "security," and reimagines the defence sector as an inclusive and gender-responsive institution.
For the UN, the path forward is clear: gender equality in defence should not be the exception but the norm.
“Empowering women in defence enhances our collective security,” says the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Alexandre Zouev, whose office was instrumental in producing the one-of-a-kind report with its partners. “Let us build a future where gender equality in defence is not the exception but the norm.”
This vision calls for collective action to dismantle the barriers hindering women's full participation and create defence forces that truly represent the strength of our diverse societies.