Women to serve on Afghan frontline by 2012

15 Jun 2011, 1:47 am   -   Source: AAP
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Female soldiers will be given the chance to serve on the frontline alongside their male colleagues. (AAP)

Female soldiers will be given the chance to serve on the frontline alongside their male colleagues. (AAP)

Women will serve on the frontline in Afghanistan by next year, with male soliders reportedly told to accept the change or quit.

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Women will serve on the frontline in Afghanistan by next year, with male soldiers reportedly told to accept the change or quit.

The army has begun briefing infantry soldiers that female diggers will join them in battle in 2012 if they can pass physical tests, News Ltd newspapers report.

Army leaders are understood to support the changes that would open all combat roles to women, with a cabinet decision expected within weeks.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith's final submission recommending equal military opportunity for women is likely to be approved.

Townsville-based 1st Battalion soldiers were told the news on Tuesday morning, the report said.

Presently, women are barred from just 7 per cent of military roles.

Allowing women on the frontline would place Australia alongside Israel, which has gender equality in battle.

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Your Comments

danielb 'argues the slippery slope'

Mr B - from Auckland, 12 months ago

They are professional soldiers so I don't see any issues that they won't be trained or already have to deal with. Women are brave and enduring and will assimilate into platoons with respect, they will likely bring a new dimension to leadership and front line thinking which will enhance the ADF capability. This is allready happing around the world so its not like its an unknown path. As an Aussie male I'm ex proud of his change and thank all ADF soldiers for doing their bit.

Give peace a chance

Sean - from Geneva, 12 months ago

Whatever happened to "make love not war"? Can someone remind what threat illiterate peasants posed to Australia anyway?

Terrible, terrible

danielb - from sydney, 12 months ago

What happens when women get their arms blown off, or their legs, or disfiguring scarring, or are shot and paralised, or are shot and can't have children, or are shot and require amputation, or are shot and require a mastectomy, or are raped as prisoners, or worse. What happens when the male soldiers see this happening right next to them. Imagine how they will react, not like they should. Little sister syndrome and the serious dangers that can occur to women are why they shouldn't be out there

Deal with it diggers!

Cate - from Melbourne, 12 months ago

Wow, bold move. It will bring a whole new meaning to suck it up sisters. I'm actually proud to see Minister Stephens taking such a tough stance. Deal with it diggers! You need us, whether you like it or not. Now move over and let us do our job!

afghan and women

oncewas - from bribie island, 12 months ago

Could somebody please tell me if Afghani women are training to fight on the front line of Afghanistan as are Australian women, and if not, why not?

The way of the red army!

ryan - from sydney, 12 months ago

Good news comrades!

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