Bundesheer: leadership knows no gender

The current figures make it clear that the proportion of women at the Austrian Armed Forces is increasing at all levels: more than 800 soldiers are currently in active service, while in 2022 there were only 645 soldiers. More than 100 female officers, while the civilian posts are occupied by more than 2,700 women. This trend is particularly evident in the officers of the general staff, the number of which has tripled since 2021. There is also an increase of around 13% in the non -commissioned officers. In the civilian area, the number of employees has increased by around 17%in the past four years. In addition, the number of women in management positions is also continuously increasing.

Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “Leadership knows no gender, the Austrian Armed Forces lives this every day and also takes targeted measures. With every woman who takes responsibility, whether in uniform or civil, we strengthen our operational ability and set a clear sign of equal opportunities. Our way is clear: We build on competence, diversity and cohesion. Our army is strong, today and also in the future.”

Klaudia Tanner has been the first defense minister in Austria’s history to give the Bundesheer a new dynamic since January 2020. Under her leadership, the “Mission Vorwärts” modernization program started, in which the defense budget was significantly increased, militia and foreign missions, and numerous procurement initiatives were implemented. These measures contributed significantly to the increase in the operational and professionalism of the Federal Army.

Sylvia Sperandio, the first woman in the rank of Major General, leads the management of military health care with its medical expertise and thus contributes to the constant further development of the medical system. In the civilian field, Elisabeth Keckeis has occupied the position as section leader in the Ministry of Defense since November 2023. She is head of the Presidium General Directorate and is responsible for personnel development. Another sign of this strategy sets militia officer Anna Kaiser, commander of the “Austrian Forces Disces Relief Unit” (Afdru) and at the same time head of the Center for Cultural Business Protection at the University of Krems. She combines her civilian expertise with her military experience.

With the continuous promotion of women in management positions and the consistent implementation of equality measures, the Federal Army sets clear standards for modern and sustainable force. With this equal opportunities, from military leadership functions to civilian management positions, the army shows that women and men get the same opportunities with the same payment. Management competence is therefore not a question of gender.

Further information on the diverse career opportunities of women at the Austrian Armed Forces are available at https://karriere.bundesheer.at/karriere/soldatin .