Women in the combat roles

• Indian Army is all set to open up combat positions for women. India will be among very few countries to do so.
• Initially women will be recruited for positions in military police.
• Until now, women were allowed in a number of select areas including in medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Army but combat roles are off limits for them.
• Only countries such as Germany, Australia, Canada, the U.S., Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel have allowed women in combat roles.

The roles of military police include:-

• Policing the cantonments and Army establishments,
• Prevent breach of rules and regulations by soldiers,
• Maintaining movement of soldiers as well as logistics during peace and war,
• Handling prisoners of war and extending aid to the civil police whenever required.