Gender Inequalities in the Military Service: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the literature regarding gender inequalities in the military service. In doing so, it discloses challenges and opportunities for women's integration and finds new avenues for future research. Recent scientific research has evidenced that women still represent a growing minority in most Western militaries. Women's integration deserves equal opportunities across all branches and levels of responsibility in the military, however, their expansion to ground combat roles is still a challenge to the military and policy-makers. Scholars have also reported about the decision to increase the number of women in combat roles, as it may potentiate adverse experiences, due to closer proximity to men in circumstances with little or no privacy. Conversely, scientific research has shown that more egalitarian women reported significantly less sexual harassment victimization. Furthermore, our insights suggest that it might be fruitful to integrate women in ground combat roles as special forces' operators, with a view to induce a reduction of marginalization and sexual harassment, by gaining respect in a male-dominant culture. The presented idea should be interpreted with caution and needs to be supported by empirical research; although we are convinced that future research will be revealing and might represent a game-changing situation to women inequalities in the armed forces.

Purpose after service through sport: A social identity-informed program to support military veteran well-being.

“…On the one hand, this may reflect the fact that the majority of regular force and reserve members (84.10%; Government of Canada, 2020) are men. Historically, women have experienced gender inequalities in the military (Reis & Menezes, 2020), which may deter them from seeking out military-related supports or programs after retiring from service. In future, it would be important to consider how women might be optimally supported through this program and/or related programs.…”

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“…However, the challenge for female soldiers is that the military operations they carry out are related to the opportunities and challenges (stereotypes) that develop in society. Women have the right to have equal opportunities in the military, but it is still a big challenge for some parties, where three basic things still clash with society stereotypical view of women: posttraumatic stress disorder, femininity and egalitarianism, as well as sexual assault and harassment 38 . The conflict of understanding that develops in the international community regarding the roles and duties of women, has made some parties consider that the presence of Afni Regita Cahyani,et.al 191 The Role of the United Nations … women in security and conflict issues is still taboo.…”