On this year’s International Women’s Day, UN Women encourages us to consider how we can ‘balance the scales’ for women in all areas of society—in other words, how can we build a world that provides equal opportunity for women and girls?
Women are increasingly making their marks on the historically male-dominated fields of defence and security, but often still face significant barriers to participation. This selection of Strategist articles discusses the progress that women have made, the obstacles that still exist, and the ways that women can—and do—shape today’s defence and security.
What would military strategy look like if history’s prominent strategists had considered war from a gendered perspective? Emily Cooper explores this question through the character of Clausewitz’s sister.
Carl von Clausewitz’s On War has helped shaped our understanding of peace and conflict. But it fails to consider ‘the lived experiences of civilians, particularly women’, leaving us with strategic blind spots that persist to this day.
Clausewitz and his wife Marie taught us that war is the continuation of politics by other means. His sister, with her gender-focused point of view, reminds us that it’s also the continuation of power—over bodies, stories, and systems.
The road to women’s representation in defence is often a difficult one to walk. Those who have helped pave that road, such as Lieutenant Colonel Laura Cranston, know this well.
As the New Zealand Defence Force’s director for Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Cranston led the development and practical implementation of major gender-equality initiatives. As part of her five-year implementation plan, she developed frameworks and training concepts that ‘embedded gender considerations at every level.’ Despite its overall success, the process was not without obstacles, including cultural inertia within the force.
Some colleagues felt other priorities should take precedence, and there were moments where the value of the work was questioned or misunderstood. In one instance, I was advised not to expect revolutionary change, reflecting the reality that cultural shifts take time, especially in environments where traditional perspectives are deeply embedded. While I understood the caution, it was also a reminder of how entrenched norms can quietly undermine progress.
Despite positive shifts in culture, debates around women’s suitability for combat roles often re-emerge. This ‘risks undermining the morale of our defence force’, writes Jennifer Parker.
These unfounded debates are ‘dangerous and damaging’ and only distract from the crucial task of enhancing capability amid global uncertainty.
Based on my operational experience, from service at sea during the second Gulf War to chasing armed drug smugglers in the Caribbean, I can say this: the fighting DNA of a warship is strengthened, not weakened, by diversity of all kinds—including gender.
National security relies on diverse perspectives, leadership and participation across sectors. But women aren’t getting the support they need to make sure their voices are heard, writes Raji Rajagopalan.
Women in defence and security fields, including in policy and scholarship, face disadvantages compared with men at similar levels. For example, men tend to be cited more frequently than women, regardless of publication volume, and media coverage generally favours men’s voices over women’s. Addressing these issues will require broader cultural change and consistent effort.
We cannot rely on change to happen naturally. Instead, we need to commit to conscious corrective measures to encourage and promote the work of female scholars. Such conscious change is not only a matter of ethics; it is in the interests of our national security as we navigate a complex international environment.
The United Nations’ WPS agenda recognised ‘the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls’ and ‘the critical role women play in peacebuilding and recovery.’ But as conflict evolves, so too should that agenda, writes Raelene Lockhorst.
Australia can lead the change by implementing WPS principles in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and humanitarian responses, and recognising the role of women in ensuring resilience at the community level.
Conflict today is not confined to conventional wars. Climate shocks, pandemics, cyber disruption and displacement are destabilising communities and undermining security. Women are again on the frontlines—from Pacific disaster resilience efforts to humanitarian corridors in across the world.
Encouraging women’s participation in defence is key to strengthening the defence workforce. The 2026 National Defence Strategy shouldn’t overlook this opportunity, writes Arpitha Ummanath.
Facing personnel and skill shortages, Defence would benefit from improving female recruitment and retention. Introducing gender inclusion initiatives in the 2026 NDS would bolster the Australian Defence Force workforce and improve strategic capabilities.
Women aren’t a workforce supplement for Defence; we’re an untapped strategic asset. The 2026 strategy needs to recognise that, because in strategic competition, self-imposed limitations are among most dangerous.
