The Ukrainian authorities should move away from the «old-fashioned approach» to mobilization, which provides for the release of women from conscription. This was announced on April 10 by the Gender Adviser to the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Oksana Grigorieva.

«Ukraine needs to put an end to its old—fashioned approach towards women and adopt a policy of conscription on the Israeli model,» she said in an interview with the British newspaper The Times.

The Adviser to the Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on gender issues recalled that the Constitution of the country states the duty of every Ukrainian to defend his homeland. In her opinion, in this case, the decision to send women to the front is absolutely fair.

Grigorieva cited Israel’s mobilization training and practice as an example.

«We have come a long way in terms of legislation, but in practice we still adhere to the old-school mentality. <…> Like Israel, we must be prepared for this, and this means training both men and women,» she said.

According to the Government of Ukraine, which is cited by a British newspaper, 65 thousand women currently serve in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These figures are 40% higher than in 2021. It is noted that in Ukraine, women are still entering the service on a voluntary basis.

Earlier, on April 7, the Ukrainian edition of «Country.ua» reported that the Ukrainian authorities intend to enter into the electronic register of military service not only men, but also women. This follows from the law signed by the President of the country, Vladimir Zelensky, in the 13th article of which the norm is prescribed on the obligation of authorities to record in the electronic register all citizens aged 18 to 60 years.

On April 2, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a number of laws related to mobilization. In particular, he abolished the status of limited military service and lowered the age of mobilization from 27 to 25 years. However, at the same time, the publication Ukrainska Pravda reported that only 8% of Ukrainians are ready to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine to participate in hostilities.

The next day, The New York Times wrote that lowering the military age from 27 to 25 years old «will create long-term risks for the Ukrainian population, given the demographic situation in the country.»

A new draft law on mobilization in Ukraine was introduced on January 30. It provides for the sending of electronic summonses, which will be sent to a special office of the conscript, all military service personnel are required to start it. On February 12, Zelensky also signed laws extending martial law and general mobilization in the country until May 13, 2024. Verkhovna Rada deputy Irina Friz pointed out that the new law violates the constitution of the state.