As the so-called “War On Women” rages on in the Capitol—from proposed changes to the Violence Against Women Act that erase protections for the LGBTQ, immigrant, and tribal women, to the removal of Planned Parenthood funding in an revamped Texas women’s health program—we can cheer that, at least on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan, a major battle has been won.
Leon Penetta, the outgoing Defense Secretary, announced last week that thousands of combat positions would now be open to women, who originally were excluded to nearly 25 percent of active duty roles because of their gender.
Critiques of Panetta’s decision argue that increasing the amount of women in combat roles will either cause more sexual tension on the battlefield or more danger for the unit because women are not as physically able as the male comrades, despite numerous instances of women rising to the occasion while under fire.
Supporting of lifting the ban further argue that group dynamics in the military will barely change. Many servicewomen already are deployed in areas of high risk, but instead of serving in combat, their jobs are to reach out to civilians or serve as medics to the injured miles away from any conflict. The servicemen who they have been trained alongside with will not face any new sexual tension or group dynamic, mainly because there have been women proudly serving in Afghanistan and Iran for years. The only difference is that before lifting this ban, the women who were sent to war weren’t handed the ballistic vest or opportunities that those of the other gender were.
Now, these women will finally be able to earn the almost 200,000 positions once blocked to them that can help their careers flourish.
The military is far from being a gender-neutral workplace, most recently coming under fire for sexism manifesting in other forms, such as sexual harassment and the lack of criminal justice the victim receives. However, as we watch our honorable women step out of the tents and into the front lines, we are one step closer to the empowerment of women in the military.