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Contents
Acronyms
Introduction
1. The Volunteer Movement as an Implementation of the Comprehensive Defence Strategy
1.1. The Role of the Volunteer Movement as a Component of Comprehensive Defence
1.2. Ways to Strengthen the Volunteer Movement as a Component of Comprehensive Defence
2. Women in Civil Defence
2.1. Civilian Preparedness on the Home Front and the Role of Women
2.2. Establishing a Unified Civil Defence System
3. Care Work Among Women Employees in Critical Infrastructure
3.1. The Challenges of Balancing Critical Work and Care Labour
3.2. Supporting Critical Infrastructure Employees with Domestic Care Responsibilities
4. Women and Military Service
4.1. Barriers Deterring Women from Joining the Military
4.2. Recommendations for Overcoming Barriers to Women Entering Military Service
5. Gender Sensitivity in Government Defence Communications
5.1. The Portrayal of Women in State Defence Communications
5.2. Enhancing Gender Sensitivity in State Defence and Military Recruitment Communications
6. Local Self-Government as a Component of Comprehensive Defence
6.1. The Role of Local Self-Government in Executing Comprehensive Defence Functions
6.2. Defining the Specific Role of Local Self-Government in Comprehensive Defence
7. The 1325 Agenda as a Component of Comprehensive Defence
7.1. Challenges in Implementing the 1325 Agenda at the Local Level
7.2. Strengthening the Localisation of NAP 1325
8. The Technologization of Warfare and Women’s Economic Empowerment
8.1. Opportunities for Women in Emerging Military Technologies
8.2. Economic Empowerment of Women in Emerging Military Technologies
9. Conclusions and Recommendations
The concept for the project "Gender Mainstreaming in the Context of Comprehensive Defence" was developed by philosopher Tamara Zlobina, head of the CSO “Expert Resource Gender in Detail”. Inspired by Sweden’s comprehensive defence strategy (Sveriges totalförsvar, a strategy that engages the entire Swedish society in overcoming security challenges), Tamara sought to study the Swedish experience, examine which elements of comprehensive defence are already being applied in Ukraine, and integrate a gender perspective into the Ukrainian context.
The relevance of comprehensive defence in Ukraine is evident: achieving victory requires defence reforms alongside innovative solutions in civilian life, which together will ensure a resilient and comprehensive security strategy. Amid constant Russian attacks on civilians, personnel shortages in the military, and overall resource asymmetry, national security cannot be limited to the military component alone.
Across the research areas selected for the project — volunteer movements, care work, women in the military, women in civil defence, the economy, local self-government, and information policy — the researchers propose solutions that synergistically bolster both rear-front resilience and frontline defence capabilities. Specifically, gender-sensitive military communications impact the rate of women joining the military. Combined with the removal of other barriers, this provides an asymmetric solution to personnel shortages. Furthermore, civil readiness efforts are sustained by volunteer organisations and critical infrastructure workers, whose capacity and output are directly influenced by the expansion of care work infrastructure. Economic empowerment of women in emerging military technologies helps address personnel shortages in traditionally male-dominated rear-front professions caused by mobilisation, while simultaneously bolstering the supply of advanced technological tools to the military. Local self-governments work alongside volunteer organisations and critical infrastructure entities to enhance local security and civil readiness in implementing National Action Plans (NAPs) for United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. Strengthening each of these components individually bolsters the rear and/or the front, but strengthening them collectively can produce a lasting and comprehensive effect on societal resilience. Taken together, applying a gender-responsive approach to comprehensive defence will enhance defence effectiveness by increasing women’s contributions to national security.
The eight research studies conducted as part of this project demonstrate that comprehensive defence in Ukraine exists de facto, operating in a spontaneous and decentralised manner, which allows it to respond flexibly to wartime challenges. However, there is a downside: this spontaneity remains unsystematic and is resource-dependent on itself, relying on the solidarity of people who are themselves in need of solidarity. In addition to specific steps addressed to various actors at central and local levels, the research recommendations include intentions to develop a comprehensive defence strategy for Ukraine. This involves integrating spontaneous efforts into a unified system that is institutionally and resource-resilient, yet preserves flexibility and rapid response capabilities.
