Who can be entered?
This award is open to individual women, teams or groups of women working in the defence of their own country. This could be as members of the Armed Forces, Civil or Public Services, or with defence industries or associated bodies. Please note Winners of any category are excluded from nominations for any Women in Defence UK awards for 2 years.
What will the judges be looking for?
The judges will be looking for examples where women at any level have exceeded expectations to contribute to the defence of their own country. The work recognised could be of an inspirational, collaborative or outstanding contribution nature. Examples could include contributions to an innovative programme or project, collaboration with other Nations, exceptional leadership or dedication to duty. The Award was launched in 2024 when it was awarded to the women serving in the Armed Forces in Ukraine.
Finalists from earlier years
Last year’s Finalists were from the Swedish Home Guard, Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Georgian Armed Forces. The Winner was recognised for her professional excellence and determination as the first woman appointed to be a Combat Support Company Commander of an Infantry Battalion in the Georgian Defence Forces. The other Finalists were nominated for: her courageous, principled and modern leadership in a time of significant transformation within Swedish defence; epitomising leadership and professionalism as the highest-ranking female military officer in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), and as the first female to be appointed as Brunei’s Judge Advocate General and Principal Legal Advisor to RBAF and Ministry of Defence.
Please note
The citation must reflect a true and accurate account of the attributes, achievements and impact of the actions of the individual or team. Women in Defence UK requires all nominators to verify that the citations are factually correct.
AI can be used to create all or part of the citation. If used, it is the nominator’s personal responsibility to ensure that all company or organisational security, privacy and information management protocols have been followed. We ask for transparency if any AI tool has been used – you will see a question as part of the nomination procedure.
You should only include information that is up to the classification of ‘Official’. Information that is ‘Official Sensitive’ or higher must not be included.
A nomination using essentially the same narrative or evidence should not be entered in more than one Award by a single nominator. A nominee may be entered more than once in one or more categories by different nominators, providing the narrative in the citation does not duplicate, or near word for word resemble, the citations of other nominators.
Entries will not be accepted from the partner, spouse or other close family member of a nominee.
There is a word limit of 200 words per section. Even if the form allows you to enter more, the citation sent for judging will be shortened if it exceeds this limit, which could mean that it ends mid-sentence.
If you experience any difficulties using the form, require the information in an alternative format, or need support completing your application, please contact us at awards@womenindefenceuk.co.uk. A member of the team will be happy to assist you.
Hints and tips
The judges refer to these category criteria when judging submissions. They look to see how the activity/behaviour/impact meets the criteria for each category. So put yourself in the judges’ shoes. They read lots of citations so capture their attention early, be concise and provide context. It may be obvious to you why an achievement is so worthy of recognition, but our judges may not have the same background or experience so please explain the significance.
Providing context to the citation (i.e. sphere of work, day to day tasks, key challenges, etc.), and tangible evidence of the outcome or effect that this had on others will strengthen the nomination hugely. Our judges may not be familiar with all parts of the defence enterprise so avoid, or at the very least explain, acronyms.