Despite recent steps towards inducting women into combat roles, their participation remains low. Examine the key challenges impeding the greater inclusion of women in the Indian armed forces. Also, suggest suitable measures to enhance their participation.

The landmark BABITA PUNIYA judgement allowed for creation of permanent commission to women in the defence recruitment. Recent steps: (1) Segregation (2) Changes in CDS/NDA examination (3) Recruitment drives at subnational levels Participation remains low: 1. Male-dominance across the three forces 2. Loss in combat roles → role segregation based on gender 3. Patriarchal - within the system 4. [lack of] role models - women aspirations at lower strata

Challenges impeding greater inclusion in Indian armed forces: 1. Patriarchal mindset and systemic barriers - to women - lack of support and denial of opportunities 2. Lack of awareness - among general public - stereotype - Armed forces is perceived as male-only, systemic prejudices 3. Lack of role-models - guided aspiration to lower strata 4. Lack of trained and coaching facilities - under-examination like JEE / UPSC / STATE etc 5. Govt. policy fragment - reactive rather proactive (50) sequestgement enforced permanent commission

Measures to enhance participation: (1) Role Models - Sofia Quereshi in recent op. Siddiqui - Despised many, others need it better (2) Breaking the barriers - incentivize to families for femake participation into armed forces (5) govt-backed training institutes - formalized system, reverse the seriousness and obsession of lower status (6) Breaking barriers within the system - to give parity in inclusion Thus, women's participation is the armed forces with add a new lease of strength. Best practices like ISRAEL need to be emulated.

— Kiran Kamate · AIR 53