Women warriors

Available for over a year

“We don’t have compulsory conscription for women. All joined voluntarily for different reasons” said Yevheniia Kravchuk, a Ukrainian parliamentarian recently. In the last few decades western militaries have been training more women for combat than ever, yet female recruitment and retention is stalling. But with warfare changing, new technologies and new threats, women soldiers are a vital resource. Victoria Hollingsworth talks with different women around the world, some on the frontline and others about to go, and explores the motivations and the challenges they face. Many have families and find juggling these two lives very hard and with little support. Away from the frontline many have faced sexism and worse from their own colleagues. There are some in society and the military that believe there is no place for women in combat. It is a polarising view that is at odds with progressive modern militaries yet one that appears to be gathering momentum in some parts of the world, especially in the US. How will this affect the careers of females currently serving in the US armed forces and future recruitment? (Photo: Major Jenny Wood is sitting in the back of an army vehicle. Credit: British Army)