Today saw the start of the campaign for women, “Women into Uniform!”, that introduces career opportunities in the Estonian Defence Forces and busts myths related to conscript service.
The Minister of Defence, Kalle Laanet, says that women have the opportunity to complete the conscript service and contribute to protecting the homeland by being in service in any positions in the Estonian Defence Forces.
“Both men and women in conscript service have equal opportunities to demonstrate their strengths and abilities, and later, to enter into active service. However, the field of national defence is still engulfed in many misleading myths and ignorance, which is why many women do not even consider this as a possible career path,“ explained Laanet to expand on the need for the campaign.
Laanet noted that although the proportion of women in national defence is increasing each year, women occupy only about ten percent of the active service positions in the Estonian Defence Forces. “The career of a serviceman is open for women and it is as credible a choice of profession as any other area,” said Laanet.
Laanet emphasized that completing the conscript service develops skills that are also useful in the future, regardless of the choice of profession. “Self-confidence, discipline, leadership and teamwork skills, decision-making abilities, prioritization, strategic and critical thinking, adaptability in stressful situations, survival skills – these are just some of the strengths that are important in the Estonian Defence Forces and are being developed in conscript service,” specified Laanet.
According to Laanet, it is no less important that there is no pay gap in the Estonian Defence Forces and the average salary for servicemen is maintained at a 30% higher level than the average salary in Estonia.
The goal of the campaign is to generate interest in the target group and then, invite them to study the possibilities of conscript service and the Estonian Defence Forces in depth and to consider, whether this field could be suitable for them,” added Laanet. The campaign, aimed at young women aged 15-26, carried out by means of e-channels and social media, emphasizes the skills and strengths that a woman acquires from conscript service.
The free webcast, “Women into Uniform!”, was prepared for the campaign, where Eeva Esse interviews female conscripts and servicemen to find out what their life as female servicemen looks like, why they have decided to enter the conscript service, which challenges they face and which qualities and skills the national defence service develops. In addition, the show presents the musician Manna and the fitness athlete Amani Kiivikas, both well-known in the target group, who have also tested themselves in a men-cantered field.
Watch the show and find out more: www.kra.ee/naisedvormi
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