In today’s world, approaches to women’s participation in military service vary widely from country to country. While some nations actively draft women into compulsory service, others maintain a voluntary model.
Countries with mandatory military service for women include several African states such as Eritrea, Chad, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire. Israel and North Korea stand out for their long-standing traditions of female conscription. In contrast, most developed nations — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Spain — rely on voluntary enlistment for women.
In Azerbaijan, the idea of drafting women into compulsory military service occasionally sparks public debate. Speaking to BHizim.media, Milli Majlis MP Gunay Agamali explained why she believes the issue is not relevant for the country.
“In some nations, decisions to introduce mandatory service for women are tied to cultural traditions and the need to bolster security amid challenging demographic trends. In Azerbaijan, this is not an urgent matter. Our country has a sufficient number of professional servicemen, and demographic indicators remain positive. The strength of our victorious army and our national spirit ensure the reliable defense of the Motherland,” Agamali said.
She emphasized that Azerbaijani women play a vital role in society, serving as moral anchors and leaders in fields such as science, education, and healthcare.
“Thanks to state policies, women hold key positions across all areas of public and political life. They contribute significantly to education, the cultivation of patriotism, and the preservation of moral values,” the MP added.
According to Agamali, Azerbaijan is a strong and independent state with no need to introduce compulsory military service for women.
