Women in Defence in India-A Critical Analysis with Special Reference to Gender Inequality

Abstract

The role of women as soldiers and warriors has been evident in history the world over for centuries. As early as the 15th century, Joan of Arc is said to have led the French army during the hundred year's war against England. Indian military history also boasts of a fair share of women soldiers, Razia Sultan and the Rani of Jhansi being the most famous. Women were also a part of the Indian National Army raised by Subhash Chandra Bose to fight the British. Post-independence, women have for long been serving the Indian Army in the Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service. However, beyond this the Indian Army did not induct women for 47 years, after independence The first batch of Short Service Commission women officers was inducted into the Indian Army in the year 1993.This milestone was achieved through generation of considerable debate, both, within and outside defence circles. The debate acquired the hue of a gender issue with terms like equality of the sexes and discrimination against women thrown in for good measure. Since the Indian Constitution guarantees equality of opportunity for all, irrespective of sex, it was considered only right that women should be allowed to join the army as well. Soon enough they found a place for themselves in services like Corps of Signals, Engineers, and Intelligence Corps etc. Apparently they have proved their ability and discharged their duties suitably enough, for what started as a five-year stint has been increased to ten and subsequently fourteen years for a few disciplines. Researcher in this research paper has critically analyses the induction of women in Defence in India with reference to gender inequality in this profession.