Discussion on Enrolling Girls in Military Training School at Ministry of Defense

Women can receive military education and advance in military ranks solely based on their merits. The only source of strength for their advancement will be knowledge and professionalism. According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), the legislative framework is in place and is moving into the implementation phase.

“The protection of women’s rights and ensuring equal rights for them have been and continue to be an important part of the reform in the defense system. Last academic year, we had female graduates from two military educational institutions for the second time, who are successfully completing their military service with officer ranks,” stated Deputy Minister of Defense Gabriel Balayan during a conference today regarding the 'Women for Peace' initiative.

He outlined three objectives that the MoD has set regarding this issue. Firstly, events aimed at protecting women's rights in the armed forces emphasize the expansion of women's involvement in the defense system and the increase of female military personnel. The second objective is to ensure equal opportunities for women serving or wishing to serve in the armed forces in terms of receiving military education, being appointed to positions, promoting, and other matters.

“Just 10 days ago, we seriously discussed the issue of admitting girls to the Monte Melkonian Military School during the meeting of the board of trustees. We have a few technical issues related to accommodation, which we will try to resolve in the near future. Every female soldier should have the confidence that military service is merit-based and that the only force that will elevate her in military ranks is her knowledge and professionalism, and that at no stage of upward movement will she face a glass ceiling that leaves her at the mid or lower levels,” noted the deputy minister.

The third objective is to create an environment where the potential of female soldiers can be fully realized, where female soldiers will not only be mere executors of already made decisions but also active participants in decision-making processes, and why not, the decision-makers themselves regarding their subordinate personnel.

“These objectives are not new. Since 2014, the Ministry of Defense has been working to eliminate legal and practical barriers to the involvement and advancement of women in service, both with its own resources and with the assistance of international partners. Most of the staff in the MoD’s ethics unit are women, and I proudly mention that male generals are being asked questions in such a way that the execution is not delayed,” Balayan remarked.

He assured that both women and men now have legislative guarantees for equal rights and obligations for obtaining military professional education, entering state service in the defense system, serving in the armed forces, appointments, retraining, promotion, and other service-related actions. “In other words, we have solved this issue legislatively, and we are now moving into the implementation phase,” he emphasized.

Gabriel Balayan recalled that since 2014, an annual cooperation program has been signed between the MoD and UNFPA in Armenia, centered around defense issues. “The program carried out by our international partners from the Council of Europe, entitled 'Human Rights and Women in the Armed Forces', also targets issues related to the protection of women’s rights and ensuring equal rights,” he concluded.