From demonstrated agency to structural integration: security-trained women and the role of assignment and competence registries in crisis preparedness and national defense

Abstract

This article asks whether systems such as assignment and competence registries could help bridge the gap between women’s demonstrated agency in crises and war, and their systematic integration into preparedness and national defense structures. Drawing on focus group discussions with 43 women who had received security-related training through NGOs in Finland, the study identifies a dynamic interplay between motivational factors (i.e. drivers of agency), enabling conditions that mitigate barriers, and institutional mechanisms (notably, the registry itself). Study participants were motivated by a sense of responsibility, concern for both global events and their loved ones, and a desire to counter fear through action. Registry participation was seen to increase women’s visibility and clarify their roles, thereby reinforcing agency. However, participants emphasized that agency is also shaped – and often constrained – by societal expectations, gendered caregiving responsibilities, and insufficient employer or policy support. Without addressing these barriers, even well-intentioned registries risk becoming hollow structures. More broadly, the registry was interpreted as a potential counter-response to global trends that marginalize women’s contributions, helping to promote a more inclusive and resilient national defense model.