Five full-time specialists manage strategic leadership of the programme
The structures of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine currently employ 790 gender advisers. They work to protect equal rights for both female and male personnel and combat discrimination. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing information from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
The majority of this network consists of non-staff personnel serving directly within military units. They combine these duties with their primary military roles, while five full-time staff advisers manage the strategic leadership of the initiative on a permanent basis.
Responsibilities of advisers in military units
The key duties of these specialists include preventing and countering gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and violations of sexual freedom. They also ensure equal rights and career opportunities for both men and women during military service.
Advisers regularly brief personnel on their rights and modern standards for countering discrimination and mistreatment. Furthermore, they provide unit commanders with specific recommendations on mitigating rights violations and complying with current regulations.
Any service member can consult an adviser under strict conditions of full confidentiality to receive practical guidance or institutional support. Military regulations strictly forbid putting pressure on or persecuting personnel who report issues or request assistance.
Countering bias and workplace harassment in the military
Gender discrimination in the ranks often manifests as unjustified barriers to command postings, specialist training, or career advancement. It also includes biased evaluation grounded in stereotypes, provided such restrictions lack a legal and clear operational basis.
Sexual harassment includes unwanted sexual comments, inappropriate jokes, physical contact, or intrusive behaviour that breaches personal boundaries. Leaving such incidents unaddressed leads to repeated misconduct, deteriorates troop morale, and undermines operational capability.
Documenting and reporting these violations allows military authorities to launch official investigations and promptly protect affected personnel. Information regarding the unit’s designated adviser must be shared with all personnel, or obtained directly via unit command or military hotlines.
Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
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