“No means yes—and yes means anal.”
According to media reports, this sentence was uttered during a briefing at the German Army’s 26th Parachute Regiment in Zweibrücken. It is symbolic of a scandal that shook the German public in early 2026: investigations against dozens of soldiers for sexual violence, right-wing extremist slogans, and a toxic culture of camaraderie.
For many female soldiers, such experiences are not isolated incidents. Reports of sexist remarks, sexualized humiliation, or deliberate exclusion show that patriarchal structures still exist in parts of the security apparatus. But the case not only reveals a problem—it also highlights a change. The fact that these incidents are becoming public, investigations are being launched, and structural reforms are being discussed shows that security institutions are under increasing social pressure to break down patriarchal structures. Especially in the context of International Women’s Day, this raises a key question for security policy: How diverse is the security apparatus of modern democracies—and what role do women play in it?
The security sector remains a male-dominated field
Historically, the military, police, and security policy decision-making structures were almost exclusively male domains. For centuries, combat, defense, and state power were understood as male tasks. This structural influence is still reflected in the figures today. In 2024, women made up just over 13 percent of soldiers in the German Armed Forces. The problem has been recognized politically: the Department of Defense is pursuing the goal of increasing the proportion to 20 percent in the medium term. The situation is similar in the police force. In many federal states, the proportion of female police officers ranges between 23 percent and around 31 percent, with women remaining significantly underrepresented, particularly in leadership positions.
The picture is more nuanced at the political level. Women currently make up 32.4 percent of the German Bundestag. The German Bundestag’s Defense Committee is almost gender-balanced, with 18 women and 20 men serving as members of the committee. This development is remarkable, as defense policy has been considered a classic male domain for decades. The stronger presence of women in parliamentary decision-making structures is also changing the security policy agenda in the long term. Issues such as diversity, equality, and dealing with sexual violence within the armed forces are now much more widely discussed in political circles than they were twenty years ago.
International perspectives – diversity as a strategic resource
A look at other countries shows that diversity in the security sector is increasingly seen as a strategic advantage. Israel is a frequently discussed example. Due to compulsory military service, both men and women serve in the Israel Defense Forces. As a result, the proportion of female soldiers is significantly higher than in many European armed forces. Structural reforms have also been implemented in the USA. Since 2016, all military combat positions have been officially open to women. In Norway, gender-neutral conscription has even been introduced. Men and women can be equally obliged to perform military service—a deliberate political signal for equality in the security sector. Diversity is increasingly understood as part of modern security architecture.
Reforms and diversity strategies in Germany
German security institutions have also begun to take targeted action against structural barriers. The German Armed Forces are now pursuing several strategies, including reforms to the Military Equality Act, raising awareness of sexism and discrimination, and organizing events specifically for women. At the same time, many police authorities are striving to increase the proportion of women in their ranks—for example, by offering more family-friendly working conditions or targeted recruitment programs. Such measures are not only aimed at promoting gender equality. They also respond to a strategic problem: the growing shortage of personnel in the security sector. Modern armed forces simply cannot afford to forego half of society’s talent pool, and the same applies to police forces.
Diversity as an added value in security policy
The integration of women into security institutions is not just a normative question of equality. It also has strategic advantages. First, diverse teams improve the quality of security policy analyses. Different perspectives often lead to more comprehensive risk analyses and more innovative solutions. Second, diversity strengthens the social legitimacy of state security agencies. Institutions that reflect the diversity of society tend to enjoy greater trust. Thirdly, diversity can be crucial in international missions. In peacekeeping missions, the presence of female soldiers often facilitates better access to local populations. Diversity is not just about gender. Origin, religion, and social background also shape perspectives on security policy. A pluralistic society therefore needs pluralistic security institutions.
Between scandal and progress
The scandal in the Zweibrücken paratrooper regiment shows that patriarchal structures still exist in parts of the security apparatus. Sexist remarks and anti-feminist attitudes have nothing to do with conservative traditions—they contradict fundamental democratic values. At the same time, however, the public debate surrounding the scandal also shows that security institutions are changing. Incidents are being discussed publicly. Female soldiers are reporting abuses. Parliaments are responding with reforms. This change is slow—but it is real. With the passing of the Equal Opportunities Development Act, the rights of equal opportunities officers have been strengthened and measures are being taken to counteract underrepresentation. Similarly, the German Armed Forces wants to use its diversity strategy to counteract existing grievances within the troops, strengthen a diversity-conscious leadership and organizational culture, and no longer just preach equal opportunities, but also put them into practice.
Security requires diversity
The security sector is undergoing a process of transformation. While patriarchal structures still exist, political reforms, international examples, and institutional strategies show that diversity is increasingly understood as adding value to security policy. A diverse society needs a diverse security apparatus. This is precisely why women should not be discouraged by patriarchal structures from pursuing careers in security policy. The future of modern security institutions will not be shaped by homogeneous male networks, but by pluralistic teams that reflect the diversity of the society they are meant to protect.
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About the Author
Fabienne Hofmeister is a political scientist specializing in international relations, digital security, and political communication. She is studying for a master’s degree in international relations and diplomacy at the University of Trier and previously completed a bachelor’s degree in political science and German studies at the University of. Her research focuses on international security policy, disinformation, and political communication. She is the chair of IFAIR e.V.
