Föreligger skillnader i Försvarsmaktens arbete med jämställdhet före och efter den könsneutrala värnplikten?: En kvalitativ textanalys av Försvarsmaktens officiella dokument om jämställdhetsarbete

Sammanfattning: This study investigates whether there are differences in the Swedish Armed Forces' gender equality work before and after the introduction of gender-neutral conscription. Previous research indicates that military organizations often encounter resistance in gender equality work, due to deeply entrenched norms. Theoretically grounded in the concept of gender as a social construct and a top-down perspective within implementation theory, this study focuses on three critical factors for successful implementation: clarity, participation, and motivation. The research is structured as a case study. The pre-conscription period spans from the years 2014 to 2017, while the post-conscription period covers the years 2018 to 2022. The study employs qualitative text analysis of the Swedish Armed Forces' official documents, including regulatory letters, action plans, and annual reports. It examines three levels within the organization: policy formulation, decision-makers, and the operational level. The findings reveal differences in gender equality work between the two time periods with policy formulation and decision-making levels, indicating a decline in critical factors following the introduction of conscription. However, this does not seem to have impacted the practical implementation of gender equality measures, as evidenced at the operational level. The study suggests that other informal factors may influence gender equality work, warranting further research in this area.