Colombia has opened military service to women for the first time in 25 years. A cohort of 1,296 women have been enlisted in Colombia’s Army in the month of February.
Buy Prime Test Series for all Banking, SSC, Insurance & other exams
Recruits must live on military bases for several months and earn a monthly stipend of only about $75, but some of the women in the new program hope it helps them build a career in the armed forces. They see it as a chance for a stable job and educational opportunities.
Colombia has long had compulsory military service for men ages 18 to 24. The army relies heavily on those young recruits to staff bases, protect infrastructure and carry out administrative tasks, while its professional soldiers confront drug trafficking gangs and rebel groups. This year, officials allowed females in the same age range to voluntarily join the military, in what the army says is part of an effort to strengthen the role of women in its ranks.
The new push to allow females to enlist comes as Colombia’s congress debates a bill that would eliminate compulsory military service and enable young men to replace it with internships in educational programs, environmental projects or human rights initiatives.
Military officers in Colombia have opposed this legislation, saying it would diminish the army’s capabilities.
In a world where mobility is often equated with opportunity, possessing a powerful passport can…
The University of Tokyo has inaugurated the Atacama Observatory (TAO), which has been awarded a…
The quest for strength in materials continues to drive innovation across industries worldwide. From construction…
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched the "Let's Move India" campaign in collaboration with…
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded the First-Class Medal of Independence to…
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has made history as the first airport in India to achieve the…