Following a decision made in January by the then Defence Minister N Sitaraman, the Indian Army has allowed the recruitment of women to the Military Police wing of the Army. Women were not allowed to take up combat roles until now and they served in areas such as medical, engineering, legal arms of the Army.

Women In Combat Roles

After serving in the medical, legal and engineering departments of the Indian Army, women will now be allowed to serve as military soldiers. According to General Bipin Rawat, the development will help induct women into combat roles which currently is exclusive to men. 100 women have been chosen among thousands of volunteers across the country and they will be given a 61-week training which is equivalent to that given to male soldiers. The training regimen will commence in December this year in Bengaluru.

Training Instructors

Colonel Commandant of the Military police, Lt General Ashwini said that the first set of instructors was very crucial as they will lay down the foundation for generations to come. She said that the majority of instructors would be women officers including Maj Julie who was the instructor to the first batch of women constables in Assam Rifles.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, every year 100 women soldiers will be inducted in the Army till there will be 1,700 cadre strength. As part of the Military Police, the women soldiers will help maintain law and order at Army establishments, help maintain logistics and supplies during war and peace, policing prisoners of war and help to check breach of rules and regulations by soldiers.

This move of the defence ministry is applaudable as it falls in line with gender equality and women empowerment.

Image Source: Dawn