Female professional soldiers in the Czech armed forces now represent nearly 16 percent of all personnel, reaching the highest proportion in modern history according to data provided to Seznam Zprávy by the General Staff. Across the military, Military Police, and Military Intelligence, bezmála pět tisíc professional servicewomen currently serve, surpassing the 2024 North Atlantic Treaty Organization average of 13.9 percent.
Surge in Uniform and NATO Comparisons
The share of servicewomen in the Czech military has grown steadily since the Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999, when women accounted for 7.4 percent of all soldiers. For many years, that figure hovered around 13 percent before climbing past 15 percent last year. This growth coincides with successful military recruitment efforts. According to Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (SPD), the military fulfilled its recruitment target at 133 percent this year, accepting 2,997 new recruits instead of the planned 2,250 individuals. Minister Zůna noted that increased interest followed salary increases implemented last year by the former government of Petr Fiala (ODS), which brought the gross starting salary for a professional soldier to téměř 50 tisíc korun.
Former Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka described to Radiožurnál last year that servicewomen operate across the entire military rather than being restricted to offices. “We also have female combat pilots, we have women in combat units, and not just in support functions,” Řehka said prior to ending his service at the end of August. “In the Czech army today, there is no position reserved only for men. If a soldier fulfills all requirements, they should be able to work in that position.”
Leadership Gaps and Career Progression
Despite growing numbers in uniform, gender analyses published annually by the Ministry of Defence show that women rarely reach senior command roles. The military has zero female generals in active service, and at the start of 2025, only 21 female colonels served alongside 343 male colonels. As of January 1, no woman commanded any military headquarters, and more than 94 percent of commanders and deputy commanders across brigades, regiments, battalions, platoons, companies, and squads were men.
“We have precisely set rules in career growth and we have them the same for everyone, without distinguishing whether it is a woman or a man,” Řehka said last year. “What I perceive as a problem is that women do not grow as much as men into top managerial positions and into the command of the army, where we have never had a woman.”
Did You Know? When the Czech Republic entered NATO in 1999, women made up just 7.4 percent of all soldiers in the armed forces, according to Ministry of Defence gender analyses.
Active Reserves and Practical Obstacles in the Field
Beyond the professional force, women show increasing interest in the active reserve, accounting for 600 of the approximately 5,200 reservists this spring. Eliška Michálková joined the volunteers after nearly three years of consideration. After pausing her initial basic training course due to flu, she returned months later to complete the course at Vyškov and take the military oath. Michálková noted that female reservists face unique logistical challenges in the field, stating that she brought pills to delay menstruation because training areas often lack proper facilities beyond a single mobile toilet.
Petra Horáková Krištofová, an active reserve member in her sixth year and author of the blog, podcast, and book Deník vojínky, fields frequent questions from women considering service. “The most frequent questions from women concern physical fitness,” Horáková Krištofová explains, adding that women often doubt themselves and take physical requirements very seriously, which reflects positively in physical test results. She also highlights uniform challenges, noting that standard gear often does not fit women properly. “I didn’t expect that they wouldn’t have gear for women,” Michálková said of her shooting training, where oversized blouses and long sleeves interfered with her hands.
Next Steps in Equipment Upgrades
The General Staff has worked for several years on new military uniform cuts designed to better fit different body types and accommodate smaller frames or distinct physical proportions. Chief of the General Staff Miroslav Hlaváč informed Seznam Zprávy that the military, including active reserve units, should be completely outfitted with the new uniform design and camouflage pattern by the beginning of 2029.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many professional servicewomen currently serve in the Czech armed forces?
Bezmála pět tisíc professional servicewomen serve across the army, Military Police, and Military Intelligence, representing nearly 16 percent of all professional soldiers.
Are there any female generals in the Czech military?
No, the military currently has zero female generals in active service, and women hold a very small fraction of senior officer and command roles.
When will the military receive new uniforms designed for different body types?
According to Chief of the General Staff Miroslav Hlaváč, the military and active reserve units should be completely equipped with the new uniforms and camouflage pattern at the beginning of 2029.
How do you view the efforts to integrate specialized gear and leadership tracks for women in modern armed forces?