Women now account for 20% of candidates at recruitment centers, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on January 17. In Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil regions, the highest percentages of female applicants have been recorded, with figures reaching 46%, 41%, and 38%, respectively. In Zakarpattia, 23% of those expressing interest in joining the Armed Forces are women, as noted by the Ukrainian Army Recruitment Center.
The lowest percentages of female candidates are in Rivne at 13% and Zaporizhzhia at 15%. Across all regions, 32,736 individuals have applied through recruitment centers, with 7,329 officially identified as candidates. The most sought-after roles include drivers, administrative positions, and UAV operators.
In August 2023, Ukraine’s Armed Forces approved their first summer field uniform for women after a month-long testing phase that incorporated feedback from female service members. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov confirmed that efforts to develop female-specific body armor were also being made. Ukraine emerged as one of the few nations leading in tailored military gear for women, advancing inclusivity and operational readiness.
Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, all third-year university students, both men and women, will undergo basic military training. The program, unrelated to mobilization efforts, aims to equip students with essential skills in self-defense, weapon handling, first aid, and tactical medicine, according to Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykhailo Vynnytskyi.
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-924c3c302c27387e19f6c44aaeb98745.png "Maryna Kulakova")