Can Women Get Drafted into the Military?
The topic of women’s participation in military service is a long-debated issue. Women have made significant strides in recent decades, and nowadays, many countries have expanded their military roles to include women in various positions, including combat roles. Despite these advancements, some fundamental questions remain, particularly concerning the potential for women to get drafted into the military.
A Brief History
In the United States, for example, the Armed Forces Act of 1948 allowed women to participate in the military for the first time. The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 established the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), which later became the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Over time, the military’s perspective on women’s participation underwent significant changes, leading to the removal of combat-related restrictions and the inclusion of women in combat positions starting in 2015 with the introduction of the *Defense Department’s Directive.
Current Policies and Regulations
In the US, women are eligible to volunteer for the military, but **they are not currently allowed to be drafted into combat roles or positions. Only men aged 18 to 25 are eligible for mandatory selective service registration. A 1981 court case, Rostker v. Goldberg, specifically excluded women from being registrants under the Selective Service System.
In a 2020 bill signing ceremony, President Donald Trump stated that the draft lottery would no longer exclude women, indicating a possible end to this policy. Meanwhile, Congress passed an amendment in 2008 that would allow Congress to debate and potentially ratify a constitutional amendment clarifying women’s rights for military service.
National Guard and Reserve
Reserve components, such as the National Guard and Reserve, have always relied on volunteer enlistments from both men and women. In 2016, the Department of Defense reported that 22,000 women were serving as Reserve Component members. Notably, the Reserve Component provides a higher percentage of women (approximately 19%) compared to the active-duty component (~14%).
Comparison by Country
Other countries have varying policies regarding gender and the draft:
- Canada: Military service is voluntary for women and men, and mandatory registration for men ended in 1998.
- Israel: Men, but not women, may be called up for reservist duty.
- Australia: Women can opt for part-time service through the Army Reserve and will be required to perform training and exercises alongside their reserve counterparts.
International Consensus and Recommendations
As part of the OSCE’s (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) 2012 meeting, countries agreed on measures to improve the integration and participation of women in militaries, including providing separate facilities, addressing harassment and discrimination, and creating professional development opportunities.
The United Nations’ UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) calls for greater participation of women in decision-making processes and eliminating gender stereotypes in military professions.
Conclusion
At present, women in many countries are not compelled to register for military conscription, unlike their male counterparts. While this gender-based exemption may eventually fade, current policies indicate it is unlikely to cease without significant policy overhauls. Meanwhile, women’s participation in national defense remains crucial, from volunteering to serving in prestigious roles like the US Supreme Court.
