GENDER DIMENSIONS OF WOMEN’S STATUS UNDER CONDITIONS OF WAR AND MARTIAL LAW: A SCIENTIFIC-THEORETICAL AND POLITICAL-LEGAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The article aims to examine the gender dimensions of women’s status under conditions of war and martial law through a scientific, theoretical, and political-legal analysis. To achieve this goal, a set of general and special research methods was applied, including systemic, structural-functional, comparative legal, historical-legal, formal-logical methods, as well as an interdisciplinary approach, which enabled a comprehensive study of transformations in gender roles and the legal status of women during armed conflict. Results. It has been established that modern wars should be understood as multidimensional social phenomena that significantly affect human rights systems and exacerbate gender inequalities. It is revealed that women in wartime occupy a dual position: as a vulnerable social group exposed to increased risks of gender-based violence, socio-economic marginalization, and rights violations, and at the same time as active participants in military, volunteer, and peacebuilding processes. Key challenges are analyzed, including the rise of conflict-related sexual violence, the feminization of poverty, and limited access to social and healthcare services. It is determined that existing legal regulation mechanisms do not fully consider the gender-specific nature of war crimes and require improvement in line with international standards. An analysis of the implementation of gender-sensitive policies in the context of fulfilling the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security” has been conducted. It is argued that the effectiveness of state policy depends on proper implementation, adequate funding, and institutional support. Conclusions. It is substantiated that modern gender policy in wartime should combine protective and emancipatory functions, recognizing women as full-fledged actors in security policy. The integration of a gender approach into law-making and law enforcement is a necessary condition for ensuring women’s rights and achieving sustainable peace.