WOMEN IN СYBERSECURITY: POLICY FOR PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY

The article presents, for the first time, an analysis of the state’s political vectors regarding gender equality in cybersecurity for the security and defense sector. It is determined that there is a strong international and national regulatory framework for addressing Ukraine’s strategic course in gender policy. This enables gender equality between men and women across all aspects of human life, both at the professional level and in various social interactions. It is proven that the relevance of ensuring gender parity in cybersecurity is linked to the high demand for specialists in this field and the insufficient representation of women in the cyber domain. The key national and international initiatives aimed at developing gender policy to enhance women’s competitiveness in cybersecurity are systematized. These initiatives focus on providing women with practical experience from leading cybersecurity experts, expanding international cooperation in genderrelated matters, and closing the gender gap in cybersecurity. The article outlines key state documents that facilitate expanded educational opportunities for women—future cybersecurity professionals—and define priority tasks for achieving gender equality in the security and defense sector. It is demonstrated that the institutional capacity of the state at all levels serves as an effective lever for implementing gender equality standards in cybersecurity. It is established that, under wartime conditions, women cybersecurity professionals have already demonstrated their ability to counter cyber threats and successfully solve complex cybersecurity challenges, opening new prospects for inclusivity in cybersecurity and strengthening national cyber resilience.