Servir ou combattre : que les femmes cherchent-elles dans l'armée russe ?

Abstract

There are few women in the contemporary Russian Army, especially in comparison with other countries of the world. While patriarchal stereotypes may create an obstacle for women who want to serve in the armed forces, there are still a significant number of women in Russia who are motivated by service in the army. What attracts them to this profession? How do they see their professional and personal realization in the armed forces? Based on several interviews, this research note attempts to identify some of the interviewees'motivations: the search for family and economic stability, ideological motivations and work conditions. It also analyses the different kinds of gender identity that women create for themselves in the army.