“Arm Women Now,” a Ukrainian non-profit organization, has taken on the essential task of creating military attire and equipment specifically for women.
Recognizing the gaps in existing military supplies, this initiative offers custom-designed uniforms and body armor tailored for female service members.
The equipment aims to ensure women in combat roles are equipped with gear that meets their specific needs, hence improving both effectiveness and safety in the field. 
An important exhibit of the “Arm Women Now” initiative is currently featured at NATO Headquarters. It is part of highlighting the importance of adapting military gear to gender-specific requirements.
Such visibility underlines not just the project’s practical benefits, but also its symbolic stand for gender equality in military contexts.
The exhibit was opened during a Defence Ministerial meeting by Irene Fellin, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace, and Security, accompanied by other prominent figures like U.S. Ambassador Julianne Smith, Lieutenant General Andrew Rohling, and Iryna Nykorak, the founder of the initiative.
The exhibit and project have garnered significant attention due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The war has spotlighted the urgent need for appropriate military gear for women, as inadequate equipment can diminish combat effectiveness and endanger lives.
Fellin’s statement at the exhibit’s opening emphasized that despite years of striving to integrate gender perspectives within armed forces globally, the lack of women-specific military gear remains a persistent issue.
The core goal of “Arm Women Now” is to foster equality, dignity, and respect for women serving in security and defense roles.
This organization is at the forefront, providing free-of-charge tailored uniforms and non-lethal gear to thousands of Ukrainian servicewomen.
All uniforms and equipment from “Arm Women Now” are designed around female anthropometric data, ensuring they fit women properly and function effectively.
“Arm Women Now” operates within the broader framework of NATO’s women, peace, and security agenda. This policy aims to integrate gender perspectives across NATO’s operations, missions, and strategic initiatives.
Ensuring that women can serve without unnecessary barriers and with the right equipment is pivotal in achieving full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation in peace and security efforts.
A mix of tailored attire, body armor, and other essential gear goes beyond mere utility. It signifies a commitment to acknowledging and meeting the unique needs of women in the military.
Through projects like “Arm Women Now,” visibility and tangible progress are being championed in the quest for genuine gender equality within defense sectors globally.
