Article:
The Indian military recently witnessed a significant milestone with Captain Abhilasha Barak becoming the first woman officer to join the Army Aviation Corps as a Combat Aviator. Up until now, women’s duties in the Aviation Department primarily included traffic control and ground tasks. Now, Captain Barak steps into the role of a pilot within the 2072 Army Aviation Squadron that operates the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
Understanding the Army Aviation Corps
The Army Aviation Corps is a vital component of the Indian Army, established on November 1, 1986. The Director-General at the Army headquarters in New Delhi heads it.
Initially, this corps was immediately inducted into ‘Operation Pawan’, providing a crucial test for the newly formed branch. The corps’ primary responsibilities include evacuating injured soldiers during operations or health emergencies, particularly in high-altitude areas. They also use the corporal choppers for observation, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, combat search and rescue, and essential load drops.
Women’s Representation in The Military: A Background
The Indian military began incorporating women as short-service commission (SSC) officers in 1992, marking the first instance of women joining the military outside the medical stream.
A significant shift occurred in 2015 when the Indian Air Force (IAF) decided to induct women into the fighter stream. Following this, in 2020, the Supreme Court ordered the central government to provide women officers with a permanent commission (PC) in the Army’s non-combat support units, equating them with male counterparts in these roles.
The court rejected the government’s argument of women officers’ physiological limitations being based on “sex stereotypes” and “gender discrimination against women.” As a result, women officers were granted PCs in all ten branches where women enter as SSCs. These changes meant more avenues for promotions to higher ranks for female officers.
In 2021, the Indian Navy deployed four women officers on warships after a 25-year gap. The Army also inducted its first crop of women into the Corps of Military Police, marking the inaugural instance of women joining the military in non-officer roles. Despite these advances, women are still not permitted in combat arms like Infantry and Armored Corps.
Landscape and Figures
The number of women in the military has nearly tripled over the past six years due to the continual opening of new opportunities. As of now, there are 9,118 women serving the army, navy, and air force. According to the figures from 2019, women make up only 3.8% of the world’s second-largest army compared to 13% of the air force and 6% of the navy.
Advantages of Gender-Inclusive Military
One’s gender should not be the deciding factor for roles within the military; qualifications should hold more weight. Allowing a mixed-gender force strengthens the military, particularly in addressing retention and recruitment issues.
Furthermore, a blanket restriction for women limits a commander’s ability to choose the most capable individual for a job. It is important to acknowledge that cultures evolve over time, implying that the masculine military subculture can adapt to include women in combat units.
Global Scenario and Way Forward
Other countries, such as the United States, Israel, North Korea, France, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, and Canada, already employ women in front-line combat positions. With the ongoing evolvement of society’s norms and values, it has become crucial to facilitate women’s inclusion in various military roles.
The responsibility to bring about these changes lies with the senior military and political leadership. It is crucial to respect the constitutional guarantee of Equality, allowing every woman to pursue the career of her choice and aim for success.
