Sara works out in the morning, then has breakfast, then passes the exam. Then the lectures begin.
"I have free time until 17:XNUMX p.m., when compulsory classes begin, if there are duties such as on-call duty and policing, I have to do them at the prescribed time." During the remaining free time, I can train, go to the city, rest," this cadet told "Vreme" Military Academy in Belgrade.
Photos on the Instagram page of the 890th Mixed Helicopter Squadron "Pegazi" show that it is a scene women increasingly common in military uniform. Besides on earth, they are also present in heaven.
Over Belgrade, woman he pilots a helicopter in uniform. Confidently, as if he were driving a car. In this way, stereotypes about women as the gentler sex are broken.
But how are they in the army? Do they have to prove themselves more than men? Do they sometimes listen to inappropriate comments?
Ten percent of officers are women
Sarah says that there was prejudice in the beginning. Then the women of her class fought for respect. After all, he says, they got to know each other better.
According to the Report on the achievement of gender equality for 2022, women make up a quarter of employees in the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces.
There are more of them in uniform, but far fewer in leadership positions than in civilian clothes. Close to ten percent of officers are women, they make up 3,6 percent of non-commissioned officers and 17,3 percent of professional soldiers.
As the commissioner for the protection of equality, Brankica Janković, points out, the share of women in command and management positions in the Ministry of Defense was 26,8 percent, while in the Army they were 5,9 percent.
"It's really unusual that there aren't four rosettes on the shoulders of an officer yet, considering the great dedication, effort, knowledge and skills of our senior officers," she says, referring to the rank of general. For now, women have reached the highest rank of colonel.
The highest rank for a woman, says Janković, "would be a strong message to all female cadets and an encouragement to all young people."
Discrimination in olive green
But, until recently, girls and women were discriminated against even when enrolling in military schools. The case that attracted attention was a complaint regarding the ban on the enrollment of girls in the Military High School.
As commissioner Janković emphasizes, after their recommendation to remove that condition, 9.000 girls applied for the first enrollment period, despite the fact that only 900 students enrolled, which shows the great interest of girls in enrolling in military schools.
"We also had a case related to the prescription of quotas for the enrollment of women in higher education institutions, the Military Academy and the Military Academy, according to the competition announced by the University of Defense," reminds Janković.
Applicants also had to prove that they were not married and had no children. According to the commissioner, the quota of a maximum of 15 percent of women was unjustified, but the Ministry and the University of Defense in Belgrade acted on the recommendation of the commissioner and harmonized the text of the competition with anti-discrimination regulations. The last competition was announced for 185 cadets, and the selection is made under equal conditions for both sexes.
That discrimination is also present in the army is confirmed by the examples of the commissioner. The closedness of the system, the specificity of the work, as well as the fear of victimization influence the fact that those who are discriminated against turn for help less often.
When it comes to specific cases of discrimination and abuse, the army is not immune either, and the commissioner cites one of the examples from earlier years.
"The complainant stated that during the discussion about promotion with her superior, her dignity was violated, that is, she suffered an act of discrimination, because her superior was interested in her private life, invited them to go out together, stated where she lives and that he already had several extramarital affairs relationship, and at the end of the conversation he offered to take her physically," says the trustee.
"The discriminator was recommended to send a written apology and to refrain from harassing and humiliating actions that insult the dignity of women in the future," says commissioner Janković.
During 2022, the most recent year for which there is a report, all such cases were resolved internally and none ended up in court.
Photo: Official website of the Serbian ArmyTraining of members of the Serbian Armed Forces
When did women start marching?
In 2007, the Military Academy for the first time announced a competition for girls for twenty places each in the fields of infantry, communications, atomic-biological-chemical defense and technical service, as well as five places in the pilot field.
The following year, in 2008, the number of places for girls increased by five, and 107 female candidates applied.
In previous years, the criteria for the admission of candidates were different for both sexes, while the competition for the 2024/25 school year. year, the selection criteria are unique.
The position of women in the army is also a topic of other countries in Europe. The United Nations passed a resolution with the aim of increasing the number of women in the security sector and greater gender equality. It states that all citizens, regardless of gender, should have the opportunity to be part of the army, police or security services.
In Denmark, mandatory military service for women was introduced this year, while in Sweden this decision has been in force since 2016.
"It also existed in Yugoslavia, more like an experiment." A women's company, which performed tasks in step with the men. They also went to the field together. Today, women are also present in Kobra (military police unit for special purposes), in air defense, military police, and logistics," says military journalist Novica Andrić.
Male-female relations in the army are very specific, says Andrić. He believes that most relationships are filled with respect and friendship, and some of them end up in marriages and families.
Sara also talks about lifelong friendships, but also about the acquired knowledge, adding that despite the difficult moments, she never thought of giving up.
"I found myself in the military, I've been loving the uniform for a long time. The military academy provides me with an excellent education, a secure future and a career," she says.
