Research and educational project “Gender Mainstreaming in the Context of Comprehensive Defence”

The project was conceived by philosopher Tamara Zlobina, head of the CSO Expert Resource Gender in Detail.

Inspired by Sweden’s total defence model (Sveriges totalförsvar — a strategy that engages the whole of society in addressing security challenges), Tamara decided to examine the Swedish experience, explore in greater detail which elements of total defence are already being applied in Ukraine, and bring a gender perspective to the Ukrainian context.

The relevance of total defence for Ukraine is clear:

Ukraine’s victory in the war requires defence reforms as well as innovative solutions in civilian life that, together, can provide a resilient and comprehensive security strategy.

Amid Russia’s ongoing attacks on civilians, personnel shortages in the military, and the overall asymmetry of resources, national security cannot be limited to the military dimension alone.

Across the areas selected for the project — the volunteer movement, care work, women in the military, women in civil defence, the economy, local government, and information policy — the researchers propose solutions that can work together to strengthen both societal resilience behind the front lines and Ukraine’s defence capabilities on the battlefield.

Explore all the research reports in more detail:

Eight research studies conducted as part of the project showed that total defence in Ukraine has emerged de facto, developing spontaneously and in a decentralised manner. This enables it to respond flexibly to the challenges of war. Yet this strength also has a downside: these efforts remain fragmented and largely dependent on their own resources and on the solidarity of people who themselves need support and solidarity.

For a brief overview of all eight studies, their key findings and recommendations, as well as directions for further research, read the analytical report.

The research was conducted by the CSO “Expert Resource Gender in Detail” as part of the project “Gender Mainstreaming in the Context of Comprehensive Defence”. It was funded by the grant “Swedish Gender Approach Best Practices as a Tool for Empowering Ukrainian Women to Implement Sustainable Reforms and Facilitate Ukraine’s European Integration,” with financial support from the Swedish Institute and in partnership with the Swedish International Liberal Centre.

The project draws on Sweden’s experience of integrating a gender perspective into its total defence system. It is the first initiative in the Ukrainian context to explore how a Swedish-inspired total defence model could be adapted and implemented in Ukraine while systematically incorporating a gender perspective across such areas as the economy, care work, the military, civil defence, governance, information policy, and the volunteer movement.