Introduction

Historically, women have been systematically excluded from roles within the military, and while progress has been made regarding integration, significant challenges persist in achieving full equality and addressing persistent gender biases. Throughout most of history, specifically up until the late 20th century, the military was perceived as a male-dominated field due to societal norms that placed importance on traditional gender roles (Segal, 1995, p. 758). Consequently, women were mostly confined to non-combat positions such as nursing, telephone operators and clerks (National Army Museum, 2018). However, as society has progressed, the roles of women in the military have expanded and evolved accordingly. With the 20th century enduring two world wars, there was a significant change in expectations and perspectives as women played more active and key roles during these conflicts, laying the groundwork to expand women’s participation in the military. As time progressed, policy and legal changes across Europe have created new opportunities for women to serve not only in a supporting role but also in combat and leadership roles as well. 

The participation of women in the military is an important step towards the larger mission of achieving gender equality and social progress. Although there has been significant progress made in the integration of women into the European armed forces, pervasive challenges such as discrimination, gender bias and physical barriers remain (Parliamentary Assembly, 2016). These obstacles impede the equal and complete participation of women within the military. This paper will provide a historical overview of the role of women in the military armed forces. It will do so by giving insights into the advancement of the role of women in European armed forces, focusing on countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Greece, Norway, Germany and Sweden, while addressing the chronic obstacles that must be overcome to achieve equality. It will ultimately demonstrate notable progress within these European countries, challenges such as gender biases, unequal access to leadership roles and how insufficient support for women in combat continues to hinder full integration and equal participation within European armed forces.