Insta
Indian Army Open To Recruiting Women In Combat Role: Gen Rawat
Swarajya Staff
Jun 04, 2017, 05:49 PM | Updated 05:49 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Women will break the Indian military’s glass ceiling by taking up combat roles, if Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat has his way. Gen Rawat said: “I am looking at women coming as jawans. I am going to start it soon. Firstly, we will start with women as military police jawans.”
Currently women work in departments such as medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Army, but faced restrictions on combat roles due to operational concerns and logistical issues. The Army Chief said the matter is being taken up with the government. “We have already started the process,” General Rawat said. He said women will have to show grit and strength in taking up challenges in combat role and shattering the glass ceiling.
In a revolutionary move, the Indian Air Force, last year, had inducted three women as fighter pilots, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis. The Indian Navy is currently deliberating on a policy on having women onboard the ships.
Very few countries including Germany, Australia, Canada, the US, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France , Norway, Sweden and Israel have allowed women in combat roles.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.