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Selecting women for the combat role in armed forces has always been a crucial step for the top brasses. Recently Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said that as women in the Kashmir Valley are taking a leap toward the activities like stone pelting, it is being seen as a requirement of women soldiers in the combat duties to counter the protest going on in the valley, where male soldiers find it hesitating in responding to the female stone pelters.
Talking about the cons there are certain cons of introducing women in these areas like physical ability, which women can’t match with the men’s physical stamina and will affect their efficiency. Military readiness has also point of concern as men are easy to train and need less maintenance (leave in case of women pregnancy leave maternity leave) and other such issues. Well, along with that abuse of women by the enemy is also a point of concern.
Going with the stats, women constitute about 12.8% of the defense forces strength of Australia, while Nepal has 30% female quota for Combat forces. While in France and Russia, the counts are 15% and 10 %. In the US, women serve at about 10% of the active army standings. Indian army has just 4% of women share in its strength. The count is far behind other developed nations. But the current ignited political and defense scenario seems to be in favor of the women.
The step is not easy to be implemented. Rather measuring certain conditions and deep judgment of the moves to go with the decision is needed. The current requirement of the women to handle female stone pelters has been seen as a need of the hour. Like Indian air force and navy, the army also seems to be strengthening itself with the best female soldiers at lower ranks in the upcoming days.