Female participation in Polish Armed Resistance: a historical overview from the Kościuszko Uprising to contemporary military service

Abstract

This article examines the historical evolution of women’s participation in Polish armed structures from the late eighteenth century to the present day. It argues that, despite a steady expansion of women’s involvement, this process has been characterised by a persistent gap between functional inclusion and structural equality. Drawing on perspectives from gender studies and military sociology, the study applies the concept of the gendered division of military labour to analyse long-term patterns in women’s roles. The analysis demonstrates that women’s participation, initially limited to auxiliary and support functions during early uprisings, gradually expanded in scope and organisational significance, particularly during the two world wars. However, these developments did not translate into lasting institutional equality in the post-war period, when women’s access to military service remained selective and restricted. A significant shift occurred only in the late twentieth century, followed by a gradual increase in female participation after 1989. The article situates these developments within the broader context of Poland’s accession to NATO and the adoption of international standards related to gender equality in the armed forces. It highlights the distinction between quantitative growth and qualitative integration, arguing that numerical increases in women’s participation do not necessarily reflect substantive equality within military institutions. The Polish case illustrates broader tensions between historical legacies and contemporary processes of military modernisation. The study concludes that future research should focus not only on the scale of women’s participation but also on the structural conditions shaping their roles, opportunities, and experiences within the armed forces.