An estimated 60,000 women serve in the Ukrainian army, writes the British newspaper The Guardian. 5,000 of them are fighting at the front line.
Several women the newspaper has spoken to are frustrated by the lack of equality.
Nadia Haran joined the army as a radio technician in 2017. She believes that equality does not show up in practice, and that the special needs of women in terms of uniforms, protective equipment, sanitary products and career opportunities are not prioritized in the army.
– I would say that we have to fight against two enemies at once. One is obviously Russia, and the other is the stereotypes and stigma that one faces every day. The only place I didn’t see this was on the ground, because everyone was so busy fighting for their country, says Haran to The Guardian.
Haran says that she also recently chose to be transferred to another part of the defence, because complaints she made against how older men behaved towards her did not lead to success.
– A very big problem
The newspaper has also spoken to Kateryna Myronchuck, who holds a role as a senior lieutenant in the 36th Brigade. She found it difficult to buy her own equipment, because the military’s equipment gave her back pain.
Olena Bilozerska is a sharpshooter, and says she has also experienced equipment problems.
– Finding milliliter boots in smaller sizes for women is a very big problem.
The Guardian also writes that the women in the military do not have access to contraceptives on the front line, and that they also risk getting infections when they go to the toilet.
This should happen because, according to the newspaper, there are no tools that enable them to do what is necessary standing up, as men can.
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– We will get through it
Nadia Haran says that she was told by an officer with a higher rank that her place was in the kitchen.
Several other women are said to have had similar experiences, according to Haran.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has not responded to The Guardian’s inquiries regarding the case.
Nadia Haran emphasizes that she will not join the military, even if she had the opportunity.
– Despite all this, we fight against this every day, and we achieve something.
– We will get through it and get better, says Haran.
2023-08-05 17:09:39
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