Why Ukraine wants women conscripts for war | The Take

A new wave of conscription is affecting Ukrainian women, going into effect for women with a medical or pharmaceutical education. When this new law was first proposed last year, it was postponed because of the public outcry. But with Ukraine’s soldiers, volunteers and conscripts alike, going through months of grueling war, there’s a growing awareness in Ukraine that the country is in for the long haul. The optimism that the war could end this year is ebbing away. So, what does this law say about Ukraine's position in the war, and is it a sign of the changing role of women in Ukrainian society?
In this episode:
Kateryna Malofieieva, journalist
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana and Khaled Soltan, with host Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal. Sarí el-Khalili fact-checked this episode.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.
Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

[@xHiMom]

Because Ukraine is winning so hard that it needs to share the glory among everyone, as an inclusive homeland. (sarcasm)

[@musamkamara5971]

You made me laugh. You must be a genius

[@mackyfam5520]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@mackyfam5520]

😊😊😊 22nd

[@sharifpathan2251]

I Don’t Think 🧐 So😂.

[@armanasaintclair8962]

Hmmm 🤔

[@llol3061]

Come on ladies it's time for that wish for equality to be put into action. 😂😂

[@dragb9284]

Yeah that’s kinda the point.

[@llol3061]

@@dragb9284 Thanks for your confirmation.

[@fikriakmal6459]

​​@@theverses8644women soldier is still soldier Would you spare your enemy if you cant even sure they wont stab your back?

[@Randomname254]

Women are pro patriarchy when it comes to conscription, the largest femsinst organizations in Norway opposed equality in their conscription draft according to them treating women equal to men is oppression

[@FinalLugiaGuardian]

Equal rights. Equal fights.

[@joshuapaul2022]

Zelenskyy is running out of cannon fodder that's why.

[@Razor-Sharp-Claws]

Ukraine needs a move _diverse_ fighting force. 🏳‍🌈🌈🏳‍🌈

[@Ricardo-lb4so]

Meaning shemales and drag queens and flow gender people joining AFU???

[@Emilia-wy8zh]

Lgbt?! Why not.But some " refugees" from Lampedusa will do

[@yooscripts5947]

​@@Emilia-wy8zhsend rain pow warriors of Canada they gonna get the victory in seconds😂

[@jessierecords8606]

Nice equal rights

[@vicmwaf]

Setting an example of gender equality

[@sarjokujabi9730]

Why not sending zelensky wife to the front😅😅

[@justinkase5260]

I would shout equality if this wasn’t so grim. 🙏

[@zayedbinimran957]

Equality is equality Equal rights equal fights

[@aminzaman7647]

Is zelensy's wife in the battlefield? If not, it is a hypocrisy?

[@AdakStillStands]

In the US, there are polls coming out asking citizens if (we) should reintroduce the draft and or initiate mandatory minimum service at age 18.

[@50_Pence]

Will they provide fatty wheel chairs for them to fight in

[@salahuddeenayyubi9515]

some sources including Ru$$ell Brand and Tucker Carl$on are saying that America might go into a direct conflict with Russia within a year or so : they'll need American conscripts, so good luck.

[@rendezyt]

You do know that there are loopholes to get around the draft; all the well known politicians in the 1970s used them. You wanna be cannon fodder do you? And anyway why do you want to reintroduce a draft when there are so many opportunities for youth to make money without the military. Joining the military should be optional.

[@shardsofteeth]

i hope that it would cause atleast a moderate sized revolution and people would actually have a true insurrection if they foolishly attempted to reinstate the draft

[@wamnicho]

​@@shardsofteeth imagine fighting for a gang of criminals in Washington

[@Emilia-wy8zh]

The Slava is fading,slowly, away. ..

[@adorabledeplorable5740]

UKRAINE NEEDS TO STOP FIGHTING AND SEEK PEACE! NO MORE SENSLESS WARS

[@dragb9284]

Tell Russia to stop bombing civilians that might help

[@Orray]

If ukraine stops fighting it will stop existing, just like palistine.

[@volusian95]

No more senseless wars 😂 if someone ever robs your house, be sure not to fight back because everyone will condemn you for senseless violence.

[@adorabledeplorable5740]

@@volusian95 Then they can do it on their dime! The U.S has No national intrest in Ukraine, especially because its one of the most Corrupt Country in Europe

[@153haring]

Tell Putin, he invaded.

[@carlosguimaraes2512]

Just look at Ukraine's population pyramid... ... The age range of the population, enlistment age... ... Reduced by half... ... It's not an inverted pyramid (like in Europe)... ... It's an hourglass... ...

[@gamers-xh3uc]

Yep and is getting worse

[@jesusislord4202]

My sister just stay at home and look after your family, you will be fighting for NATO not for Ukraine 🇺🇦. OK put zelensky in front line. My prayer is you women to surrender in the front line .

[@yooscripts5947]

Why not, i mean they are equal after all 😂

[@realgrilledsushi]

Feminists been silent ever since this has been dropped.

[@hourbee5535]

It’s for equality lol

[@Gregg-gw8vt]

More meat for the meat grinder.

[@jarosawbielski2301]

In the wake of pride comes disgrace,

[@elevans5758]

Oh noo! That is unforgivable. WHAT ABOUT GIVING PEACE A CHANCE?

[@153haring]

Ask Putin, he invaded.

[@71518]

Why ?? I can't believe it's not obvious...

[@user-lx1kw5tn8d]

Wow. This didnt sound state-scripted and loaded with misdirection at all.. Shame on her. This needs to stop now. Push for peace

[@levy2m]

Most of the men are dead.

[@volusian95]

You're aware that they have about 8 million 18-45 year old men?

[@wamnicho]

​@@volusian95 yea but you can't have all 8 million fighting at the front otherwise other functions of the society will collapse.

[@michaell8002]

​@volusian95 that is a useless statement.

[@kerrynisbet1514]

​@@michaell8002 less useless than claiming that all the men are dead

[@yooscripts5947]

​@@michaell8002send your rain pow warriors to the front line then 😂

[@__Andrew_]

Downvoted for too much background music

[@higherspirit1]

Should use these highly educated medically trained women to treat the injured, not as front line soldiers!

[@enriquevaldeza]

Running out of military age men… 🎉

[@KatereggaFrankmsa-wp5or]

Oh my!

[@shaysdy3357]

Ukraine lost the leader has to stop this craziness.

[@wamnicho]

The leader is doing well, he's implementing equality, I support zeleskinky 😂😂😂😂

[@menya00045]

Thank god Russia has forbidden women to fight... only a few Russian women are there because of specialization in some fields. but otherwise Russia wants to protect its women.♥

[@alicianah8352]

Men or women is irrelevant. The purpose is to weaken Russian military without cost of u.s military lives.

[@coin9007]

100%%

[@doomslayer1984]

But people like you don't seem to have a problem with this in relation to Israel fighting Iran or Taiwan fighting China. Do you now Trumper?

[@alicianah8352]

@@doomslayer1984 people like me look at objective evidence. People like you make bold assertions.

[@doomslayer1984]

@@alicianah8352 People like me have eyes. And put 2 and 2 together when we see it. What more needs to be said?

[@alicianah8352]

@@doomslayer1984 I not a trumper perhaps. So even with your eyes open simple mathematics is difficult for you.

[@Landis_Grant]

On a personal level, of all the women I’ve met in my life, Ukrainian women (especially blondes) were the most beautiful. These new female Ukrainian conscripts will make Russian soldiers’ hearts flutter and to their deaths.

[@RomanMakukhin]

Inaccurate report due to manipulated translation in places.

[@xMI55IONx]

For Democracy of course! It's the best money we (the collective West) have spent. Girl power 💪

[@vanfja]

Yes “Democracy” 😂😂😂 I went to this Ukrainian democracy wonderland once. An absolute shining beacon of the best a democracy can be 😂😂😂 Frankly it made me like Belarus and their strong man government more 😂

[@doomslayer1984]

says the person who clearly never went to Ukraine.@@vanfja

[@vanfja]

@@doomslayer1984 Spent a few months there before the war actually. I got to salsa dance in Poshtova square, got to witness a gun battle between different gangs near the botanical gardens, the taxi driver said there was always war going on in Ukraine whether in the Donbass or Kiev, got to see the Bandera propaganda posters in Maiden. Heard from the locals that there was no hope for Ukraine to ever become a better place without corruption, and I enjoyed a lot of delicious Ukrainian food.

[@tony38727]

​​@@vanfjaLets hear some dates for when that trip took place. We can take a look at the news of this "gang war" you mentioned, Vatnik-kun.

[@kai_elmashdp1257]

No more money for Ukraine!

[@ACaruso]

lets make up the story of a woman who "planned" to go into "mandatory" military service

[@crystalharris7394]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🕊

[@themog4911]

Good luck to them.

[@saletecosta3011]

Deus é maior

[@andrewohare8894]

Men are not a resource, stop the lawlessness conscription of men ukraine please. Everyone should have the basic human right to concientious objection to military service (all countries which benchmark human rights acknowledge this). Acknowledge basic human rights please !!

[@HGoyas]

They are winning so much that now need females

[@Emilia-wy8zh]

Bring the Lampedusa-"refugees" to the front! Slava Ukrainie!

[@yooscripts5947]

Ukraine will be crushed because they don't fight for true values, it is a proxy war to satisfy the west

[@yooscripts5947]

Why would migrants fight for Ukraine lol they will not

[@marvinfok65]

While women in Ukraine were ordered to go to war, Zelensky's wife, Olena is ordered to go for a shopping spree in NYC, spending a US$1.1 million in one go!

[@fabianocapet7785]

They are adult ukrainian citizens right? So what's the deal? Equality is just about career opportunities and life style?

[@paijokotak6996]

The problem is, usually you are in super okay position that you need sacrifice your woman.

[@NCFMEthiopia]

@@paijokotak6996you were in ok position when Ukraine forced young men for year. Men and women have equal value.

[@Shining237]

Dr. Evil 🇺🇦 is now going to sacrifice the women to keep that money train 🚂🚃 flowing into his off-shore accounts. Heartbreaking 💔

[@peenoice5176]

Trust me you dont want women in the front lines especially in this of war which is attrition. They are in much danger to their allies as to their enemies and i dont mean they would be incompetent.

[@Randomname254]

Women are as good as cannon offer as men, a shrapnel does not care if you have a extra orifice or not

[@CHMichael]

It's just fair . Nothing a woman can't do. Modern warfare doesn't require lots of strength.

[@yooscripts5947]

Lol cool joke 😂

[@mangokush245]

who's going to give birth to new babies to restore all the losses? that's why women are usually protected. also take a wild guess what happens to a woman if she gets captured

[@madpatriot4608]

Send zalenskyy patriotic wife to the front lines, the more people they can register,for the military,the more American taxpayers dollars they receive, we're paying their wages

[@FinalLugiaGuardian]

To be fair, a 25 year old woman is going to be a much more physically effective Soldier than a 64 year old man.

[@presiyanyankov8869]

Umm no

[@presiyanyankov8869]

My 63 year old grandpa could well lets not go there but no

[@NCFMEthiopia]

Yes A 60 year old man can’t even run long.

[@Stanley_Baby]

@@NCFMEthiopia no point a woman being able to run if she can’t run with 60kg of equipment

[@benny4162]

Wrong

[@zpqm693]

Nazis Bandera???

[@brendandolan7763]

Free Ukraine down with russia imperialist

[@TakashiNippon]

How many women in Ukraine are still feminist?

[@ericvulgate]

Bc they're out of children and old men?

[@Ufu4847]

You go girls!

[@armanasaintclair8962]

She’s talking about Dying, and here I am in front of my computer, eating chips, without a care in the World ! Something’s Not Right !

[@wuhoolife]

Feminism.

[@AftabKhan-lg8uc]

War for what? Is it not hypocrisy on part of EU and Russia,

[@mrchoudhury6611]

Because mens are running out of life 😂

[@tronghungdao251]

He was right when poutine win Ukraine 🇺🇦 will not have better future.KEEP IT UP

[@papitos624]

Well, you better join the battle. And yes you will have a better future and life, because you will still be alive if the war ends as soon as possible. Good luck.

[@saletecosta3011]

Terá um avivamento nesse país

[@saletecosta3011]

Deus abençoe essa nação

[@makeracistsafraidagain]

Women make great soldiers. A woman saved my life when I was a rookie.

[@operator9858]

how is a 90 pound girl who got a free pass through boot going to lift a 200 pound dude if he goes down?

[@egwthe1]

Women need to stop going to school in the medical field or Pharmaceutical field.

[@iliashornung3178]

Bandera Jugend

[@tootsrr1]

Desperate situations need Desperate actions ....it's going to be the same result as the Men See you All in Heaven

[@piuswanyaga8361]

She has German accent

[@Breal30541]

Desperation.. Good luck Ukraine 🙌🙌..

[@saletecosta3011]

Deus abençoe essa nação 😢

[@MuhammadAbdullah-kx3kn]

Blue Balls Russian soldiers are eagerly waiting... 😁😁😁

[@hasfiz]

Heartbreaking! May Allah save all of us from such state of tyranny.

[@M.Sid9.3]

This is the result of feminism. May Allah unite and strengthen the Ummah soon Aameen

[@Emilia-wy8zh]

Most men are crippled or dead?!?

[@ericp1139]

Easy. Because Ukraine is just winning so much.

[@user-ym1km4kj5e]

😂😂😂😂😂😂🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@jamesriepe]

Ukraine is running out of men!

[@resolverresolver5812]

God bless Russia,Glory to Russia in jesus mighty name amen,the cause nd foundation of the war is Italy nd France Paris,America,Napolitano,Napoli,Taranto,Torino,Sardegna,Rome ://///!!

[@cweretelnyk]

Why are there nothing but Russian bots in the comments?

[@yooscripts5947]

When you don't like what you hear you jump to non sense

[@pellet0136]

Uklania already looss the war because collapses and limited fighter. Who uklaina male youngman fight to his country fully collapsed Zelensky party.

[@Tell_Me_Sweet_Little_Lies]

Al Jazeera, great video to confirm my disdain of your channel but at the same time need to share your [fabricated, un-journalistic] stories. Keep up your "good" work!

[@barringtonjohnson6569]

You got that right!!!

[@ericutube3921]

this proxy american war as to stop

[@Stupiditas-stupido]

What about Ukrainians trans and they/them gender?.

[@abb-bl2gu]

Elena Zelenskaya spends $1,100,000 on Cartier jewelry , Ukraine need more of your money !!!!!

[@piggzieswrath]

Don't do it ladies .. let the boys be boys .. we need you for the future of life ... no women no life

[@fabianocapet7785]

"being boys" doesn't involve dying, it's their country too, and women can do everything a man can do apparently.

[@norman4588]

In war, most women who goes to the Frontline are voluntary.