Women Female Officers to be Deployed in Frontlines by Indian Coast Guard

In a step to empower women and focus on gender parity, Indian Coast Guard becomes the first force to deploy women officers in combat roles on ships which patrol India’s maritime zone near Pakistan borders.

For the combat role, four women have been posted at coastal areas bordering Bangladesh and Pakistan which includes Haldia in West Bengal and Jakhau in Gujarat.

Coast Guard officers stated that, these women officers have been posted on the Air Cushion Vehicles which are also known as hovercrafts and capable of different situations like interception of suspicious activity boats.

Various countries around the world employ women in their armed forces however only a few such as the United States, Israel, Germany and Australia have allowed women to take combat or fighting roles.

Rajendra Singh, Coast Guard director general stated that the Indian Coast Guard is intensely passionate about empowerment of women officers and true inclusiveness. He also stated that, celebrating the completion of 4 decades, the Coast Guard is appointing these women in combat roles as per their commitment.

Presently, there are 18 hovercrafts in the Indian Coast Guard and female officers deployed will be expected to undertake tasks that men are expected to perform.