Women in Armed Forces: Creating History & Breaking Stereotypes

Whenever we think of the Indian army, we think of jawans and martyred soldiers. We talk about how they’ve given up their life serving the country. We salute each one of them for touching greater heights. However, we cannot fail to acknowledge our women officers who have shattered the glass ceiling to make a mark for themselves in the Indian defence forces. Whether it’s receiving gallantry awards or taking charge of key roles in the Indian army, women have proved that a person’s gender cannot come in one’s way when they’re seeking a job especially in the military.

A Timeline of Women in the Army

The role of women in Indian Armed Forces can be dated back to 1888 with the establishment of Indian Military Nursing Service. They served across numerous roles during World War 1.

With the creation of the Women’s Auxiliary Corps, women’s participation in the military increased considerably. They began serving in several non-combat roles including accounting, communication and administration. Thereon, women started getting the recognition they deserve. Even during the Second World War, women spies were quite successful. In 1992, the Indian Army started inducting women in certain streams including Corps of Signals, Corps of Engineers, Army Education Corps, and so on.

Until 2020, the role of women in the army was only limited to non-combat wings. The combat wing was an exclusive domain only reserved for men. In March 2023, the Supreme Court of India accepted gender parity and allowed women officers in command positions.

Apart from the Indian Army, women officers are enjoying equal positions as their male counterparts in the Navy and Air Force too.

7 Women who Broke Stereotypes in the Indian Military, Navy and Air Force

Military

• Geeta Rana

Colonel Geeta Rana scripted history by leading an independent field workshop in a sensitive location in Eastern Ladakh near the China border. She became the first woman officer to do so. This speaks a lot about the Indian Army’s efforts to bring about gender parity. It’s definitely a welcome step to appoint more women in command roles out of the medical stream. After Colonel Geeta Rana created history in March 2023, more women were being sent on peacekeeping operations and training exercises with foreign nations.

• Colonel Sunita

Colonel Sunita BS holds a prestigious position in the Army Medical Corps. She became the first woman to assume the role of a commanding officer in the Armed Forces Transfusion Centre (AFTC) in Delhi Cantt. Her multifaceted expertise makes her one-of-a-kind. She has a unique blend of administrative, professional and academic skills. Her efforts have brought about advancement of medical capabilities within the military.

• Tania Shergill

Tania Shergill is the first Indian woman parade adjutant to lead an all-male contingent on the army day function that happened in 2020 in the national capital. Though women have been a part of different establishments in the army, their position was only limited to officers. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a permanent commission for women, they were inducted in the ranks of soldiers. When Tania achieved this remarkable feat, she was only 26 years old. Serving the nation is in her DNA as she became the fourth-generation officer to do so after her great grandfather, grandfather, and father.

Navy

• Prerna Deosthalee

Last year in December, Prerna Deosthalee created history as she became the first woman to command an Indian Navy Warship. When her name was announced, it was indeed a ground-breaking moment for the Indian Navy. Prerna is also a proficient navigation instructor who has provided training to Navy observers. The Navy comprises 750 women officers including medical and dental officers. The future of the Indian Navy looks promising as more than 1000 women agniveers are incorporated into the navy every year.

Air Force

• Shaliza Dhami

In October 2023, Shaliza Dhami, a woman officer led the Indian Air Force parade for the first time ever as it celebrated its 91^st anniversary. The grand event took place at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The event went down in history as it marked a huge milestone for gender equality and women empowerment. As a distinguished helicopter pilot, Shaliza has made history earlier also as she became the first woman to take command of a frontline IAF combat unit. The Indian Air Force Day parade for the first time was spearheaded by an all-women contingent called the Agniveer Vayu. The parade is a fine example of how inclusive and diverse the Indian Air Force is.

• Avani Chaturvedi

Squadron leader, Avani Chaturvedi is an Indian Air Force fighter pilot. She was the first in a batch of three women to participate in the aerial war games held in Japan in January 2023. It was the first time ever that a woman air warrior led a fighter squadron on a foreign soil. The intention of the wargames was to promote air defence cooperation between India and Japan. Along with Avani on this mission were two other Indian Air Force pilots namely Mohana Singh and Bhawana Kanth.

• Manisha Padhi

Squadron leader Manisha Padhi became the first female officer from the armed forces to be appointed as an Aide-De-Camp. Her appointment is a significant move by the government to promote women empowerment. Before her appointment, Padhi has served at Air Force stations in Bidar, Bhatinda and Pune. As a woman excelling in diverse domains, her appointment gives the Indian Air Force an important message on breaking gender barriers.

Conclusion

These are just a few women who have etched their name in history forever. Besides them, there are several other women across the Indian army, air force and navy who have proved their mettle across various domains and shown the world that they are no less than jawans and faujis. In another welcome move to promote inclusivity, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved a proposal to make the rules for maternity, child adoption and child care lenient for soldiers, air warriors and sailors.