Historically, military service and defense sector have been associated with power and men. However, in the modern defense sector discipline and physical fitness of military servants are not sufficient for ensuring its overall combat efficiency anymore. Securing the necessary number of servants and technical modernization under the defense sector reforms are crucial for any nation to improve its security.

In-depth interviews with both women and men in the military have revealed some specific perceptions of military service of women in Armenia. Specifically, middle-aged and older women believe that their choice of a career in the military has been rather successful, and they are satisfied with the progress they have made in their careers. Whereas many of the younger women interviewed think that taking up a military profession has not been a success, and they color the present and future of their careers in much darker tones. Expectations of some younger women have not been met, and they intend to leave the military profession with the first chance they can get. Middle-aged and older women joined the armed forces at its inception and many did so with their husbands. They have stepped up to higher military ranks since, and today hold comparatively higher positions. They do not see any critical contradictions between their careers and other social roles. In contrast, younger women make only their first steps in a military career. They point out certain conflicts between their service and the expected role of women in the Armenian society. Therefore, it is not surprising that the older generation believes that the role of women in the armed forces, their status and the opportunities are almost equal to those of men.

International experience and research evidence show that having women participate in the military sector is a prerequisite of modernity. Women in the military (both compulsory and voluntary duty) of the leading countries such as the US, UK, Israel, Germany and Italy ensures effectiveness of their armed forces, and flexibility of top decision-making. It also promotes closer and more direct relations between the armed forces and the society. Women in the military contribute an additional aspect of moral control over the behavior of military men. Their presence mitigates inter-personal conflicts and prevents cases of physical violence in predominantly male personnel.

Policy Brief is available only in Armenian.

To enhance migration management, the Republic of Armenia has signed four bilateral labor agreements with Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Georgia. These agreements are meant to play a significant role in the regulation of relations between all the sides involved in migration processes, and the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of the migrants.