Women and Militarisation

The Lessons of World War II

Abstract

Amid numerous armed conflicts today, militarisation is a priority for many countries, heightening the urgency of examining its impact on women, particularly those in the military. This article focuses on the comparative analysis of several aspects of women’s military service in the USSR and Great Britain during World War II to show how these states mobilised women to meet military needs in wartime while still maintaining gender hierarchies. The findings call for a substantial reevaluation of gender roles in military contexts and underscore the importance of inclusive and equitable policies for servicewomen in contemporary defence strategies.