IDF Leads the Way in Gender Integration

Representatives of foreign militaries are increasingly seeking guidance from the IDF in facilitating gender equality and preventing sexual harassment as Israel’s military is recognized as one of the world’s most advanced in this regard.

Furthering the IDF’s egalitarian efforts, Women’s Affairs Advisor Brigadier General Rachel Tevet-Wiesel, participated in this year’s annual conference of the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives. The conference, held May 27th through 31st in Brussels, Belgium, served as a meeting place for representatives of many foreign militaries, most of them European.

IDF Women’s Affairs Advisor Brig. Gen. Rachel Tevet-Wiesel. Photo: Hagi Hershfield, Bamahane magazine

Brig. Gen. Tevet-Wiesel found that the representatives of other nations’ militaries expressed interest in gender integration within the IDF, particularly due to women’s mandatory service in the Israeli army.

“Great interest and appreciation were noted, as well as a desire to learn about the way in which the perspective on gender plays out in the IDF, as the only military in which there is mandatory service for women as well [as men],” the IDF Women’s Affairs Advisor wrote in a summary of the conference.

During the conference, Brig. Gen. Tevet-Wiesel informed the other representatives that roughly one third of all non-reserve IDF soldiers are women – a statistic that elicited many questions from the other participants on gender integration in the IDF.

“Voluntary militaries often look at women as less desirable and inferior to men,” the IDF Women’s Affairs Advisor explained. “Our experience is better because service for women is required and therefore, we strive to expand equal opportunities for recruitment and placement, and to empower women's [military] service through a variety of roles.”

The IDF stands out among other militaries because of its high representation of women. In addition to requiring women to enlist, the IDF boasts high participation of women in command roles.

Thirty-four percent of those serving in the IDF are women, including 23% of all officers. Ninety-two percent of the IDF’s jobs are open to women.