Women in the military and their relationship with war are subjects that often provoke controversial reactions that reveal entrenched stereotypes and cultural values central to many societies.

This is the first comparative, cross-national study of the participation of women in the armed forces of NATO countries. Besides an analysis of this key topic, a critique of existing theoretical models and the proposal of a revised analytical framework,

This new study employs mixed-methodological research design. Unlike previous works, focuses on the interplay of various analytical levels (general societal trends, organizational features and individual orientations) and combines quantitative and qualitative data: a large N-analysis based on general policies and statistical information concerning every country in the sample with more in-depth case-studies.

it includes original empirical data regarding the presence of women in the armed forces of NATO countries. It proposes an index of gender inclusiveness and assesses the factors (social, economic, political, military) that affect women's military roles. It also presents two new key case studies Portugal and the Netherlands - based on both documentary sources and in-depth interviews of both men and women officers in the two countries.

This book will be of great interest to all students and scholars of strategic studies, gender and women studies and military history.