Armenian government approves voluntary military service for women

YEREVAN, April 21. /ARKA/. The Armenian government on Friday approved a set of amendments to the law on military service, which create a legal basis for women to serve in the armed forces on a voluntary basis.

According to Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, the military service for women will be six months. The women will not be subject to deferment and termination of service due to family circumstances because of the short period of service, and the existence of those circumstances will be checked before the draft.

Women will have the right to refuse to serve until they are called up. All women conscripts will be sent to training centers and will serve exclusively there. Upon completion of service, a bonus of 1 million drams is envisaged, and in case of early completion of service, the bonus will be paid for the time served.

The women will also have the right to sign for contract service for 5 years. According to Papikyan, the law is expected to come into force before the winter draft.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the amendments as "one of the steps towards creating a professional army." He also said it was necessary to break the stereotype that women in the army can serve as auxiliary personnel only. --0--