Just a few decades ago, women in the Polish military were a rarity. Today, there are more than 34,000 women serving, including over 21,000 professional soldiers. The armed forces not only offer them equal career paths but are also modernizing infrastructure and equipment to meet their needs.
“Women don’t need special encouragement to join the army. Those who want to serve already come with a clear professional path in mind,”
said Capt. Bartłomiej Zaremba of the Central Military Recruitment Center’s branch in Kielce, in an interview with Newseria.
Female soldiers serve in all corps and all branches of the armed forces—holding command, technical, medical, and educational posts, as well as serving as enlisted personnel. Among them are outstanding athletes who have won medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships. Their growing numbers prove that the military uniform knows no gender boundaries.
“When I voluntarily joined the army in 1993, there were practically no women in uniform. Today, when I visit military units, women are so integrated into military life that there is no longer any distinction between male and female soldiers. Women are now 100% part of the military environment,”
said Paweł Mateńczuk, the Ministry of Defense’s plenipotentiary for military service conditions.
Numbers on the Rise
As of March 5, 2025, the Polish Armed Forces reported over 34,000 women in service, including about 21,000 professional soldiers—around 4,000 more than in March 2024. Additionally, there are 7,500 in the Territorial Defense Force (TDF), 4,000 in voluntary basic service, and almost 1,800 in active reserve and cadet service.
This aligns with a broader NATO trend of steadily increasing female participation. According to NATO’s Summary of National Reports 2022, 19 member states reported growth in women’s representation, with the alliance average at 12.7%, up from 10% in 2014. Moreover, 70% of NATO countries integrate gender perspectives into national training and education programs.
“Any woman who wants to build her future in the army has that opportunity. Many units need women, especially as medics and specialized medical staff. Women are needed, and this process is ongoing,”
said the CWCR expert.
Most women serve as enlisted soldiers (23,500), followed by non-commissioned officers (6,800) and officers (3,800). They serve across all branches: over 10,000 in the Land Forces, 8,500 in the TDF, nearly 3,000 in the Air Force, more than 900 in the Navy, over 300 in the Military Police, and nearly 170 in the Special Forces. According to the TDF, women account for about 21% of territorial service soldiers and over 15% of professionals.
Adapting Infrastructure and Equipment
The growing presence of women has driven modernization in military infrastructure and gear.
“The army had to adapt to the rising number of women, including by adjusting infrastructure to their needs,”
noted Capt. Zaremba.
In recent years, many military units have modernized barracks and facilities, adding separate restrooms, locker rooms, and accommodations for women. Training facilities have also been upgraded to ensure equal and safe conditions for combat preparation.
“Uniform regulations and related laws must evolve to fit women’s needs. That includes uniforms, underwear, and other gear important for everyday functioning,”
said Mateńczuk.
Under the “Szpej” modernization program, the army introduced women’s sizes for uniforms and equipment, better-fitted ballistic vests, a wider selection of helmets, and improved hearing and eye protection.
Family Support and Equality Initiatives
As the number of women in uniform grows, so do expectations for supporting their families. The Ministry of Defense is working on a Military Family Card, which will provide benefits and preferences for soldiers and their families, such as priority access to kindergartens and simplified procedures in public and private institutions.
The Ministry also operates the Council for Women’s Military Service, which identifies factors affecting women’s careers, works to improve service conditions, combats gender discrimination, and promotes equal opportunities through education and awareness initiatives.
