First all women battalion for CISF

Tags: Defence

First all women battalion for CISF

Why in news?

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday (November 12, 2024) approved the first all-women battalion of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Women in CISF:

• Presently, there are 7% women personnel in the CISF, which has a total strength of 1.77 lakh personnel. A battalion comprises around 1,000 personnel.
• Currently CRPF is the only Paramilitary Force in the  Country which had 6 Mahila (Ladies) Battalions.

Significance:

• Technical expertise:
• In modern warfare, technical skills and decision-making are more important than brute strength.
• Military readiness:
• Allowing women in combat roles can help address the military's recruitment and retention issues.
• Effectiveness:
• Restricting women to certain roles limits commanders' ability to choose the most qualified person for the job.
• Gender equality:
• Allowing women in combat roles is a step towards gender equality.