Despite progress in many sectors, defence is still behind in terms of gender equality. Olivia Savage speaks to women leaders in training to explore the disparities in the military.

Militaries across the world are suffering recruitment challenges. Encouraging more women in defence is one solution to address this, while also helping to diversify the military.

Nevertheless, the military is still behind other sectors in terms of gender equality.

Dr Rahel Gilgen-Ammann, head of Physiological Monitoring & Evaluation Expert Group at the Swiss Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection, and Sport, highlighted this to IT²EC.

“Less than “1% of women are in the military service [in Switzerland]”.

“It’s not even normal that women enter the military service, so you sort of stand out”, Gilgen-Ammann said, adding that the perception is you “stand out in a negative way”.

There is only one woman currently in a two-star role, with the next women leader being a colonel in the general staff, she highlighted.

“All eyes” are on them, they must have “lots of self-confidence”.

Gilgen-Ammann asserted that a mindset change is necessary. She proposed that mandatory military service for both genders in Switzerland would help to normalise women in the military. Interviewing women about their positive experiences and promoting this widely would also help, she added.

In Switzerland, it is currently mandatory for all men to serve in the military for a period of time. It is voluntary for women.

There is, however, a concerted effort to encourage more women into the services, especially as less men are signing up, Gilgen-Ammann said. Military orientation or ‘information’ day will be mandatory for all young kids in a few years’ time.

The attitudes and representation of women in the military was noticeably different when speaking with US Army Brigadier General Christine Beeler, the Program Executive Officer for Program Executive Office Simulation, Training and Instrumentation.

“Around 17-21% of the military [in the US] are women”.

Different departments in the military have a higher proportion of women, such as in accounting, business, and procurement. From a “hiring perspective, our challenge is getting women into STEM [science technology, engineering, and mathematics]”, Brig Gen Beeler said.

For training specific roles, “we haven't had an issue matriculating [women] up through the ranks into trainer and leader positions”.

Women also have opportunities for networking and collaboration through the US Army Women’s Foundation and the Women in Defence association, she said.

Although, this is “all relatively recent” and did not exist back in the 70s and 80s, Brig Gen Beeler admitted.

While both militaries are making strides, gender equality and women representation is still necessary. Considering the current widespread recruitment challenges for militaries, encouraging more women represents a potential solution.

Both women are speaking at IT²EC on separate issues related to training. For Gilgen-Ammann, she will be speaking on the role of sharing performance data among allies and Brig Gen Beeler will be providing an update on PEO STRI and live, constructive training.

To hear from women leaders in defence and our stellar lineup of other speakers, including leading experts from industry, academia, government, and the military, join us in Oslo, Norway from 25-27 March 2025.

Author Details

Olivia Savage

Editor in Chief, Clarion Defence & Security

Olivia Savage is the Editor in Chief of Clarion Defence & Security, organisers of DSEI and other defence events. Previously, she was a Senior Defence Journalist at Janes, specialising in electronic warfare, uncrewed systems, and space.