With 17% of female soldiers, the French armies are among the most feminized in the world, according to a report from the Ministry of Defense published on July 10. A feminization that goes hand in hand with the search for highly qualified profiles.
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When it comes to the place of women, the French armed forces are at the top of the global table. In 2023, their feminization rate will reach 17%, as indicated by one of the conclusions of the 2023 defense social reportdeveloped by the Human Resources Department of the Ministry of the Armed Forces. For comparison, in the German and British armies, this figure is less than 13%.
Now, there are no more military jobs that are not open to all, including in the special forces. Attack submarines, the last purely male bastion, are also open to women since the arrival in 2022 of the Barracuda-class submersibles, designed to accommodate a mixed crew. And all corps are concerned: 24% of the successful candidates in officer competitions are women.
Recruit the best profiles
If the armies are banking on feminization, it is above all for operational reasons. Thierry Burkhard, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces never ceases to remind us: one in two French people is a woman. It is therefore unthinkable to succeed in recruiting highly sought-after profiles by depriving ourselves of half the population. Especially since military professions are essentially technical professions.
An observation that has not escaped theNATO. For two years, in order to initiate a dynamic, the Atlantic Alliance has created a network of military women in positions of responsibility. The future is written: the leaders of tomorrow will be women.
Also to read and listen toWhen Women Make War