Apoorva Chaudhary, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
ABSTRACT
For a very long time the phrase “women in the armed forces” was considered as a taboo in India. Any woman who raised the finger to join armed forces was looked at with suspicious glances. Questions were raised, facts were thrown basically anything and everything was done to keep women away from Olive Green. However, one sunny day, the doors to Armed Forces were opened for the pink. The process was slow but steady and there was a long way to go.
The role of women in armed forces in India has been expanding and touching greater heights with each passing day. More women officers are assuming command of units in the armed forces now. The road to gender equality in the armed forces is still long but the battle has begun on the right note.
Whenever one speaks about Women in Armed Forces, they think of work that requires them to be off battlefield. Let’s admit who would imagine a woman holding an AK-47, climbing mountains, killing people? Weren’t women supposed to be indulging in some soft occupations like nursing, teaching, fashion or the nest out of all ‘homemaking’? How can we imagine the patriarchal society of India accepting women in belts, boots, and berets?
However, one would be glad to know that not only has India accepted women in olive green but it has also opened up gates for women to enter into battlefield and be a part of this noble profession where they can unleash their full potential.
This article delves into this topic, it touches upon the history of the Women In Armed Forces, their induction in Indian Army, the hurdles they had to face, notable women in the Armed Forces and the judgments by Hon’ble Supreme Court on this issue.
