Soviet Women and Civil Defense Training in the 1930s

Using a selection of the publications of the Soviet voluntary civil defense organisation Osoaviakhim, this paper examines Soviet women’s para-military training and war preparations in the 1930s. Specific attention is paid to shooting sports and motor racing. Mention is also made of female pilots, parachutists and other areas of civil defense training. The paper discusses the impact of women’s participation in Osoaviakhim on gender roles and the militarization of Soviet society in the 1930s.