Female soldiers are still underrepresented in the German Armed Forces, but this is about to change. The cabinet has approved measures to strengthen gender equality within the Bundeswehr, increase the proportion of female soldiers, and alleviate the military personnel’s burden of care responsibilities.
The German Federal Cabinet has passed a comprehensive package of measures aimed at promoting greater gender equality between men and women in the Bundeswehr. The focal point of this military personnel gender equality advancement law is the improvement of the Soldier Equality Act (SGleiG). The fundamental revision of the law aims to align the SGleiG with the newly amended Federal Gender Equality Act (BGleiG) and to enhance the conditions for the compatibility of family, caregiving, and military service for both female and male soldiers in the Bundeswehr.
Increasing the Proportion of Female Soldiers Furthermore, the legislation aims to create the legal foundations to increase the proportion of female soldiers in all areas of the armed forces, particularly in leadership positions. The Federal Government considers female soldiers to be underrepresented when their share falls below 20 percent, or in the case of medical services, below 50 percent. By the end of 2022, the proportion of women in the medical service career had already reached nearly 45 percent. However, in other career paths, it was only at 9.5 percent. Additionally, the rights of the equality officers are to be strengthened.
Modernizing the Framework for Service by Women and Men The Soldier Equality Act (SGleiG), passed on December 27, 2004, was the first legislation to establish a framework for the service of women and men in the armed forces, largely modeled after that of the federal administration and federal courts. Since then, the relevant gender equality, societal, and political conditions have evolved. After the Federal Gender Equality Act (BGleiG), applicable to civilian employees of the federal administration and federal courts, has been adjusted several times to current developments, there is now a need to bring the SGleiG up to date as well.
Better Support for Care Responsibilities In the context of support measures for childcare and the care of family members during crises, the draft law also includes improvements following the “turning point” caused by Russia’s attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This concerns the financial support for military personnel in handling care responsibilities during peacetime, crises, and in alliance, tension, or defense situations.
The draft law also contains urgent amendments to the Soldiers’ Benefits Act (SVG) due to the increase in the maximum income limit for part-time employment, which took effect on October 1, 2022, for female and male employees. Furthermore, the Maintenance Assurance Act (USG) aims to ensure the equality of reservists with salary recipients when granting the special readiness bonus for exceptional commitment.
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/gleichstellung-in-bundeswehr-2203986