WOMEN IN INDIAN ARMED FORCES: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

 

My Article Published in the journal Peace Prints

South Asian Journal of Peacebuilding

(Vol. 10, No. 1, Summer 2024)

 

 

 

Pic Courtesy: Internet

 

“Not all women wear pearls and shoes to work; some wear dog tags and combat boots.”

-Author Unknown

 

Women’s participation in the armed forces has evolved significantly over the years worldwide, with a growing recognition of their valuable contributions to the defence and security of the country. Many countries now allow women to serve in the armed forces in numerous roles. The extent of participation and roles vary from country to country, depending on cultural norms, legal frameworks, and military policies.

 

Traditionally, the Indian armed forces have also been predominantly male-dominated; however, the inclusion of women was inevitable with changes in societal norms and perceptions. The roles and opportunities for women have expanded over the years, with women now serving as pilots, engineers, and administrators, among others. Associating changes in military policies preceding or succeeding these decisions.

 

The history of women in the Indian defence services is a story of gradual progress and increasing participation from support services and roles to combat and command roles. The Indian Air Force, for instance, has implemented various initiatives to promote gender equality and equal opportunities for women. These include recruitment drives, training programs, and policy changes. IAF has been relatively more progressive than the three services in gender mainstreaming, with significant strides made in recent years towards achieving gender equality and providing equal opportunities for women in the workforce.

 

While including women in the armed forces brings several benefits, specific challenges and barriers still exist. These include aspects related to cultural and societal norms, such as traditional gender roles and expectations, which can hinder women’s acceptance and integration into the armed forces. Career opportunities and progression, physical and psychological suitability for combat roles and leadership positions, gender integration, gender equality, gender bias, and gender discrimination are some of the critical challenges. The Indian Air Force, like other branches, has been working to address these issues, but there is still work to be done. Harassment prevention, redressal mechanisms, judicial recourse, physical and mental fitness norms, etc., need to be reviewed periodically for mid-course corrections.

 

Continue reading “WOMEN IN INDIAN ARMED FORCES: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES”

Podcast – “Between Us”

 

“Join us on a captivating journey as we delve deep into the remarkable life and insights of former Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Anil Khosla (Retd.), PVSM, AVSM, VM. From his illustrious career in the Indian Air Force to navigating the complex landscapes of Geopolitics, UN, NATO, and the intricate relationships between India and its neighboring nations, this conversation is a masterclass in leadership and strategic thinking. Discover the unseen threads that weave through the skies of camaraderie as Air Marshal Khosla shares anecdotes of squadron bonds and the importance of teamwork. And don’t miss out on unraveling the mystery behind his love for puzzles, offering a unique perspective on problem-solving and innovation. Tune in to gain invaluable insights and be inspired by the wisdom of a distinguished leader who has soared to great heights both in the skies and in life”.

– Santosh Kumar

 Podcaster, Speaker, Author

 

Between us..” is a podcast hosted by Santosh Kumar.  He is a podcaster, speaker, a first time author. The idea of between us stems from the fact that every conversation matters. So using podcast as a medium, he bring people from diverse backgrounds, who have made an impact in every day lives,  engaging them in a meaningful conversation.

 

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Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.

 

AGNIPATH YOJNA: MAKING IT WORK

Starting the New Year on a POSITIVE NOTE

Pic Courtesy Internet

 

The Agnipath yojna has already been launched. Induction for the first batch has already been completed and the training has also started at some places.

 

Enough has been discussed and said about the concerns related to the scheme.

 

The intention is to suggest measures to mitigate these concerns and to make the scheme work to the best.

 

The concerns can generally be classified under three categories:-

 

  • Military effectiveness.

 

  • Individual apprehensions.

 

  • Societal worries.

Continue reading “AGNIPATH YOJNA: MAKING IT WORK”