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.
IAF Officer Manisha Padhi Appointed India’s First Woman Aide De Camp
Squadron leader Manisha Padhi, a 2015 batch IAF officer, became the first woman in the country to ascend to the post of Aide-de-Camp (ADC). Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, on November 29, appointed Squadron Leader Padhi as the ADC from the armed forces at a brief ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan in the state capital, Aizawl. Squadron Leader Padhi formally joined her post and reported to the Governor on November 29. She was introduced to the officers and staff of the Raj Bhavan at Aizawl.
Captain Geetika Koul 1st Woman Medical Officer To Be Deployed At Siachen
Captain Geetika Koul of the Snow Leopard Brigade has etched her name in history by becoming the first woman medical officer of the Indian Army to be deployed at the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen. This milestone comes after Captain Koul successfully completed rigorous induction training at the prestigious Siachen Battle School. The induction training, considered a formidable test of physical and mental endurance, covers various aspects such as high-altitude acclimatization, survival techniques, and specialized medical procedures crucial for operating in the harsh conditions.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited At Siachen
In October, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) commissioned a new base transceiver station (BTS) in Siachen glacier to extend mobile communication for the soldiers deployed at more than 15,500 feet.
WOMEN IN DEFENCE SERVICES
At present, women are serving in Officer’s cadre only in the Indian Air Force (IAF). The strength of women officers, as on March 01, 2023, in the IAF (excluding Medical and Dental branches) is 1,636.
As on date, women are employed in the Indian Navy in the officer’s rank. The strength of women officers in the Indian Navy, as on March 09, 2023, is 748 including Medical and Dental officers.
Employment in Indian Armed Forces is gender neutral. There is no distinction in the deployment and working conditions of male and female soldiers in the arms and services in which they serve. The postings are as per organizational requirements and employment is as per qualifications and service qualitative requirements.
Indian Army: Consequent to grant of Permanent Commission to Women Officers (WOs), a gender neutral Career Progression policy covering employment and promotional aspects was promulgated on 23.11.2021, providing equal opportunities to women officers in the Arms/Services where they are commissioned.
Indian Air Force: Women officers are empowered to tenate key appointments including Commanding Officers in Combat Units of various field units. The rules in this regard are gender neutral and provide them equal opportunities. Their medical fitness and medical conditions are also factored prior to their effective utilization.
Indian Navy: Officers are given opportunities for spouse co-location, re-settlement posting and compassionate grounds posting in a gender neutral manner.
Women are granted Maternity Leave and Child Care Leave etc. in addition to other leave applicable to their male counterparts.
