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Breaking ranks or building resilience? The role of women in the Latvian and Estonian armed forces

The steps taken by both Estonia and Latvia demonstrate a strong commitment not only to implementing comprehensive defence, but also embedding robust gender equality policies as an essential component for their armed forces. While notable progress has been made, especially in Latvia, where female participation rates are among the highest in NATO, persistent structural gaps remain, particularly in leadership representation, gender-sensitive planning, and strategic vision.

Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine and its continued hybrid operations have fundamentally reshaped the security environment in Europe, particularly for the Baltic states. The region now finds itself on the front line of a broader confrontation between authoritarian aggression and democratic resilience. This shift has forced both NATO and the Baltic nations to reassess their strategic posture and reinforce defence preparedness across all domains.

July 8, 2025 - Sigita Struberga - Hot TopicsIssue 4 2025Magazine

Photo of a female soldier in the Estonian defence league. Photo: NATO SHAPE (CC) www.flickr.com

NATO has responded by strengthening its Eastern Flank, enhancing forward defence and incorporating hybrid threat response into its overall strategic planning. In parallel, the Baltic states are intensifying their national efforts, treating the situation as an ongoing hybrid conflict. While NATO membership remains the cornerstone of their defence, ensuring collective protection from the very first centimetre, all three countries are implementing whole-of-society, or total defence, approaches. These efforts include expanding the manpower and combat readiness of their armed forces. This means also promoting the broader inclusion of women across all security and defence sectors.

Intensifying defence

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