Women in combat

Women in combat refers to female military personnel assigned to combat positions. The role of women in the military has varied across the world's major countries throughout history with several views for and against women in combat. Over time countries have generally become more accepting of women fulfilling combat roles.

Women have fought in combat roles in different societies throughout history.

In Ancient History, a significant number of women in Scythian and Sarmatian societies participated in combat, potentially serving as a source of inspiration for Ancient Greek myths of the Amazons. In Ancient Greece, several women were said to have participated in the Trojan War, including Epipole of Carystus and Penthesilea. The Greek work Tractatus de mulieribus told the stories of 14 women distinguished in war.

In Ancient Macedonia, Cynane, half-sister to Alexander the Great, earned recognition for her victories on the battlefield. In Ancient Britain, several women were said to have ruled after prevailing in combat by Geoffrey of Monmouth, such as Cordelia of Britain and Queen Gwendolen. Queen Boudica has been a famous cultural symbol in Britain for her fight against the Romans. In Ancient Persia, Pantea Arteshbod served as Lieutenant Commander in the army of Cyrus the Great and Mania was said to have never been defeated in battle. In Ancient China, Fu Hao was one of the most powerful generals during the Shang dynasty. In Ancient Vietnam, the Trưng sisters became regarded as national heroes after rebelling against Chinese rule, with women also leading later rebellions against Chinese rule, such as Lady Triệu.^{[citation needed]}

In the Medieval era, Joan of Arc became regarded as a national hero of France for her role in the Hundred Years' War. In Wales, Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd led a revolt against the Normans. Women were active as Viking warriors and gave rise of tales of shieldmaidens. The Rise of Islam saw a number of prominent women in combat, such as Nusaybah bint Ka'ab, Khawlah bint al-Azwar, and Ghazala. In Naranjo, Lady Six Sky launched a number of successful military campaigns. Toltec queen Xochitl led a battalion of women in a civil war. Princess Yennenga founded the Mossi Kingdoms. In early modern India, there were several prominent women who fought in combat, including Chand Bibi, Tarabai, Mai Bhago, and Rani of Jhansi.

During the First World War, Olena Stepaniv became the first woman officer in the Ukrainian army. She was the khorunzha of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen. After the February Revolution, Russia used one all-female combat unit. Thousands of women fought in combat and rearguard roles in the Spanish Civil War.

During World War II, hundreds of thousands of British, German and Soviet women fought in combat roles in anti-aircraft units, where they fired guns and shot down thousands of enemy airplanes. In the Soviet Union, there was large-scale use of women near the front as medical staff and political officers. The Soviets also set up all-female sniper units and combat fighter planes. Women also played combat roles in resistance movements in the Soviet Union, Spain and Yugoslavia.

Battling Hamas on October 7, 2023, a group of young Israeli women became "the first female armored crews in Israel, and perhaps the world, to participate in active battle."