INTEGRATING WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES: TWO WAYS FORWARD

Despite the participation of women in the armed forces for many decades, resistance to integrating women fully into the armed forces still exists. Women have contributed in combat previously, but they have been released and assigned traditional roles after the end of conflicts. Despite the record of women’s valuable service, doubt about women’s integration in the armed forces continues, and the participation of women in various countries’ armed forces differs both in numbers and roles. In this connection, this research identifies the major debates surrounding the full integration of women in the armed forces. The thesis also identifies how technological changes and changes in the nature of war itself, as well as legal provisions conducive to the integration of women in the military, have increased the participation of women in the military. Through case studies of the armed forces of Canada and Jordan, the thesis reveals that cultural differences in different countries preclude a single approach to integrating women in the military. Moreover, acknowledging that the legislative provisions of a country, its cultural norms, and the policies of a nation’s armed forces affect the integration of women in the military, the research makes some recommendations to increase the participation of women in the military.http://archive.org/details/integratingwomen1094561252Lieutenant Colonel, Army, NepalApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited