Women of Worth

Last week was a clear victory for Nari-Shakti. The week started off with the women's reservation bill being passed by the Rajya Sabha and ended off with the High Court judgment allowing women permanent commission in the Indian armed forces. This was an outcome of a petition from around 20 women officers who had moved to court stating gender discrimination.

Till date, women could serve the armed force only for Short Service Commission (SSC) lasting maximum for 14 years as compared to their male counterparts who could get into Permanent Commission (PC) after 5 years. This also meant that women officers were deprived of pension and other financial benefits. But now the Court has granted permission for permanent commission to all the interested women officers. This also meant recalling of all SSC women officers who had retired earlier back into the Indian army.

However this judgment comes with some limitations wherein the rule is applicable only to those officers who were recruited before 2006 when the government decided to stop shifting men and women officers from SSC to Permanent Commission across the board. This also comes with an additional task to the Indian army of reworking on the promotional activities.

BUT, women will still not be allowed on the war frontline because of the fear that they may fall prey to the enemies, creating additional logistics to accommodate women and issues of sexual harassment. The argument that if the current policy of non-induction of women in combat arms should continue given the cost that will incur to safeguard the women officers or be given chance to participate in the combat zone will continue. Whatever may be the reason, it should never be forgotten that the primary responsibility for the constitution of the armed forces is to ensure security of the country which they have carried it out beautifully till now and hope to continue in the future also.

Way to Go guyssss. Jai Hind!!!