Women in the military profession: The Greek case

Abstract

The role and scope of women's participation and active role in the war of Independence of the Greek nation from the Ottoman rule (18th/19th centuries) was substantive and significant with a continuous and eminent presence. Women's contribution has been accepted in its face-value and significance through the course of history of the nation, showing leadership qualities taking arms and fighting along together with male leaders, obtaining a balance that gave them a distinct recognition and status in Greek society. The role of women within the military environment of the nation can be seen as marginal, basically polarized around the traditional axis of the family Historians and social scientists have located the double role that women were to play while making evident the lack of participation of women in other major socio-political activity or structure up to the latest part of the 20th century, such as public management of the state, church, universities, politics, etc. And yet, the Greek revolutionary intellect Rigas, under the influence of the French Constitution of 1789, had declared already in the 18th century some provisions for the equal status of women in the public life. Recruitment of women in the Greek military was late to come. The enlistment of women in the Army was introduced in 1977 (in 1946 women were introduced in the Army as military nurses) by the relevant decree of Parliament 705/1977, which determined the conditions of voluntary service, which were identical to a great extent with those under which men volunteers had served. Another relevant decree (444/1974) that made Army service obligatory for Greek citizens, including women, while still valid, has not been made effective up to now re. recruitment of women. By Law 2439/1996, Military Women in the Greek Armed Forces can reach the rank of Brigadier General. This chapter discusses the reasons behind late participation of women in the Greek military as well as existing problems and inefficiencies of political and military leadership with respect to those problems.

Citation

Nicolaou-Smokoviti, L. (2009), "Women in the military profession: The Greek case", Caforio, G. (Ed.) Advances in Military Sociology: Essays in Honor of Charles C. Moskos (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 12 Part 2), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 195-211. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1572-8323(2009)000012B011