Military Commissioner Högl criticizes the lack of women in the Bundeswehr

From the point of view of the Armed Forces Commissioner Högl, there are far too few female soldiers in the Bundeswehr – especially, but not only, in leadership positions. The Ministry of Defense is recording an increase at a low level.

The German Bundestag’s defense commissioner, Eva Högl, has criticized the lack of women in the Bundeswehr. “It can’t continue like this,” the SPD politician told the Editorial Network Germany (RND).

The proportion of women is around 13 percent

The proportion of women in the Bundeswehr is currently just over 13 percent. “If you exclude medical services, it is less than 10 percent. The Bundeswehr is missing the goals it has set for itself and has been doing so for years,” said Högl. A quota of 20 percent is stipulated by law.

Högl also criticized sexual assaults and a lack of toilets and showers for female soldiers.

Also few women in leading position

There are too few women in the area and in leadership positions, Högl continued. “Only three women serve in the rank of general. Even in the medical field, where women have been serving since 1975, women are still underrepresented in leadership positions. That cannot be satisfactory.”

In 2023, there were only 47 women in salary group A16 and above in the entire Bundeswehr. According to Högl, the number was identical last year. In the coming years it must be about “women in leadership positions becoming the norm”.

Ministry of Defense: There are signs of an increase

A Defense Ministry spokeswoman told RND that since the armed forces were fully opened to women in 2001, the number of female soldiers has risen to around 24,300. That corresponds to a share of over 13 percent. A further increase is becoming apparent: “Last year, around 17 percent of applications received came from women. We are very pleased about this and shows that we are also an attractive employer for female soldiers,” the spokeswoman is quoted as saying.

However, she admitted that the quota of women in military leadership positions in the ministry itself is currently around two percent. However, outside the Ministry of Defense, 16 percent of leadership positions are held by women. In the area of ​​medical services it is even around 46 percent.