No compulsory mobilization of women: what the Verkhovna Rada stated

Ukraine is not conducting or preparing mobilization of women, and there are no bills or other legislative initiatives in the Verkhovna Rada that would provide for its introduction. Women continue to join the Defense Forces exclusively voluntarily.

The Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on National Security, Defense and Intelligence officially stated this on August 25 amid renewed public debate about possible conscription of women.

The committee used the most unequivocal wording: mobilization of women is 'not conducted, not prepared, and not considered'.

'There are no legislative initiatives, bills or even internal discussions regarding mobilization of women', the committee stated.

They emphasized that women in Ukraine join the Defense Forces voluntarily. At the same time, public statements by individual politicians, experts or other speakers about the need to change the existing approach are not evidence of preparation of a corresponding decision by parliament.

Statements by individual speakers who publicly discuss this topic do not reflect real legislative work and the position of the Committee, the message says.

What the law currently provides for women

Current Ukrainian legislation indeed provides for military registration for some categories of women, but such registration itself does not mean compulsory conscription during mobilization.

The Law of Ukraine 'On Military Duty and Military Service' directly establishes that women who are registered with the military, during martial law, may be called up for military service or engaged in work to ensure the defense of the state on a voluntary basis.

Thus, having the status of a person liable for military service does not create the same mechanism of compulsory mobilization for women as applies to the corresponding categories of men.

Separately, the law regulates military registration of women. Women who have received a medical or pharmaceutical specialty and are fit for health and age are subject to mandatory registration of those liable for military service.

Women with other specialties or professions related to military occupational specialties from the list of the Ministry of Defense may register voluntarily if they meet the established health and age requirements.

Military registration is not mobilization

Thus, the legislation separates two issues: placing a woman on military registration and her direct entry into military service.

For women physicians and pharmacists, registration is mandatory subject to conditions specified by law. However, even for them, the current provision does not provide for automatic or forced assignment to service based only on being on military registration.

The voluntary principle also applies to basic military service. According to the current version of the law, male citizens of the appropriate age who are fit for health are sent for service in the established manner, while for women basic military service is voluntary.

If a woman expresses a desire to perform such service, immediately before assignment she is placed on the corresponding military register at her request.

The Verkhovna Rada reacted to public debate

The official statement of the relevant parliamentary committee appeared after the topic of possible expansion of women's mobilization again became a subject of public discussion.

At the same time, the very fact of proposals, petitions or public statements about the need to change the rules does not mean that the corresponding initiative is being considered by the Verkhovna Rada. Changing the current procedure would require introducing and adopting amendments to legislation.

As of August 25, the relevant committee explicitly denies the existence not only of relevant bills, but also of internal discussions of such a decision.

The committee also called on citizens to check such reports against official sources and not to perceive public statements of individual speakers as evidence of upcoming legislative changes.

From materials: Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, law 'On Military Duty and Military Service', Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on National Security, Defense and Intelligence