Saturday 1 December 2018


PRESS RELEASE


On Army Chief’s Statement regarding inducting women in combat role


The National Federation of Indian Women-NFIW- strongly  expresses its objection to the reported statement of the Army chief General Bipin Rawat  that the Indian Army is "not yet ready" for women in combat roles,  citing non-existence of  "facilities"  and “ non- preparedness” of women for all sorts of  hardships. He also states that in the Rural areas  there is no intermingling.  

The only “facility” the Army Chief explained is related to intermingling of men and women as colleagues .Its shocking to see that Indian Army Chief is not only anti-women but has  a very strong ‘Manuvadi  patriarchal mentality.

As the Army Chief is so narrow minded and orthodox in his world view, and thinks that intermingling is a shame or a crime. His comment on the people in the Rural areas is nothing but an insult.

NFIW is of the opinion that the Army Chief is surrendering to Gender discrimination. The comment also shows that there is a clear lacuna in the training imparted to Army personnel that they are psychologically unable to accept women’s participation in the armed forces.

NFIW demands that the central government should create conditions for women to join in Combat roles too.

Annie Raja
9868181992