M A I L B A G

Women not suitable for combat jobs

Every time there is debate on gender bias in the armed forces, I wonder why at all there should be lady officers in the armed forces. Given the demanding nature of the Army assignments, neither it is a suitable profession for women, nor does it seem to be a sound proposition for the Army. The Army needs assets in its officers, and not liability. Making separate arrangements for lady officers to take care of their privacy and needs may itself be an additional burden for the Army, especially on the field postings.

Though I am a woman and a strong advocate of women’s empowerment, there is no harm in acknowledging the limitations of the gender. The glamour of adorning the Army uniform may fascinate the young ladies, but later in life it may be difficult to cope with the pressures and demands of the Army. Pregnancy, delivery and child rearing may come in the way of career.

Despite the odds, lady officers have come to stay in Indian armed forces. The Army recognises the good job being done by them in the combat supportive role. Sending the lady officers to the active combat zone, for the sake of gender equality, is exposing them to unwarranted risks. The Army top brass should not be moved by misplaced feminism, and should stick to the decision of keeping the lady officers off the active combat zone.

R. KASHYAP, Chandigarh

II

Induction of women in the armed forces will give a soft touch and a feeling of motherly affection to the men in the services, who are otherwise bereft of this very essential requirement of human nature. Jobs in the services are considered tough options, though chivalrous, in one’s career, especially women.

However, women should not be made to join the combat or fighting forces, considering the unconventional and sometimes hazardous situations of the field service through which only men can go with little privacy that is available there. Such situations might arise in case they are caught as POWs. Women should also be judged for permanent commission, if they so desire, taking into consideration all the good (and, of course, some bad) effects for the job.

Major SARDAR SINGH (retd), Jalandhar City

III

The raging debate on gender equality needs to be pondered over from the psychological, biological and physical aspects of women without any prejudice, jealousy, grievance, etc. In the two Iraqi wars, America’s women combatants, who became prisoners of war, despite their wounded state, were sexually abused.

Women deserve equality in ranks, but in the said backdrop, analytical thought should be given to their deployment. While deliberating and delighting on the philosophical concept of gender equality, the powers that be should not get oblivious about their personal safety. It is good to make optimal use of women, but short of the combat.

V.I.K. SHARMA, Jalandhar

IV

Though the Centre’s decision to bring about parity in the service conditions for men and women officers opting for Army is welcome, it puts a question mark on the reality about men and women being treated at par even in the civil services. It is unfortunate but true that in practice “glass ceilings” and “glass tunnels” are the unacknowledged rules of any organisation and women employees are victims of gender-based discrimination at work places.

It is not by making rules that the gender parity can be enforced, but we need to change the mind blocks restricting us from treating women as equals in the work arena.

Dr SAROJ THAKUR,  NIT, Hamirpur