Preparations for introduction began in Poland universal military servicewhich will besides include women. Under the fresh regulations, women will be allowed to be called to service in the military service, and the first calls are already planned for February 2025. This is simply a step that gives emergence to controversy and discussions among Poles, but is besides an expression of a changing approach to the defence of the country.
Changes in Polish defence law
According to the amendment of the Law on the universal work to defend the Republic of Poland, which entered into force in 2023, women became formally subject to military service. Although women can service in the Polish army for many years, so far military service has been voluntary. The fresh rules change this approach by introducing Universal call to the army that will affect both men and women. It is worth noting that this is about people aged from 19 to 50 years.
When will women be called into the army?
According to the information provided by the Ministry of Defence, the first female calls for military service are planned for February 2025. The Minister stressed that this process would be gradual, taking into account various criteria specified as age, wellness and military needs. Women to be called will gotta go through mandatory military qualificationwhich includes medical, intellectual and fitness tests.
Why women?
The decision to include women in universal military service is due to respective factors. First of all, Increase in military numbers is simply a consequence to an expanding external threat, especially in the context of the geopolitical situation in Europe. National defence capacity are now 1 of the most crucial priorities, and the inclusion of women in military service can aid to increase the number of soldiers and strengthen the armed forces.
In turn Changing the function of women in society and their active participation in different areas of professional and public life have prompted the authorities to decide to extend the universal work of defence to both sexes. In Poland, women have had different roles in the military for years, including peculiar services, territorial defence troops and medical services. But from a formal point of view, military service was so far compulsory only for men.
Concerns and Controversies
However, the introduction of universal military service for women is not free of controversy. any public opinion, including women's organisations, expresses concerns about equal rights and conditions of service in the military. There are concerns as to whether women will be able to meet the physical and intellectual requirements they put forward military serviceand whether the strategy introduced will not lead to sex discrimination.
However, it is worth noting that women in the military They have been in liable positions for years and their participation in the army is not limited to administration, but besides includes combat tasks. The presence of women in the military increases year by year and Poland is no exception in the region, as many NATO countries have already introduced equality in military services.
Women in the Army – figures and statistics
In Poland, in 2023, in the military served about 5 000 women, and their number is steadily increasing. According to the Ministry of Defence data, women were around 8% the full number of professional soldiers. In turn in territorial defence their share is about 10%And in peculiar forces, women are About 15% All officers.
According to NATO reports, the number of women in the military in associate States is increasing. For example, in the United States women are about 16% the full number of soldiers, and in Sweden this percent reaches 20%. The inclusion of women in military service in Poland is so a consequence to global trends and requirements of the modern world.
Social reactions
Social responses to this change vary. any people think that women who want to service in the military should be able to do so, and including them in the general military service is simply a step towards gender equality. Others, on the another hand, believe that women should not be required to service in the military, especially given the biological and physical differences that may pose a challenge erstwhile carrying out combat tasks.
Future of military service in Poland
Introduction universal military service for women is part of a larger process of modernization of the Polish army, which aims to improve the country's military readiness and defence. It is besides an expression of changes that take place in Polish society, where the function of women in public life, including in uniform services, is gaining importance. In 2025, after the first calls of women, it will be possible to better measure the effects of these changes, both in terms of national defence and equality in the military.
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Will the women go to the army? First calls in February 2025
