Eshan Maitra

May be not as much as ruthless as Brienne of Tarth, but over the course of history woman have fought in battles and wars defending their rights and sovereignty of their country. Again, in such modern times where most other countries in the world are steadfast about bringing the equality between men and women, Bangladesh also does not want to stay behind. So, why not giving the women also the privilege to serve their country by joining forces? After all, in the Liberation War women foot soldiers and medical teams played significant roles. Even they fought with rifles on their shoulder, side by side with any other against the Pakistani cowards. Many were bestowed with awards and titles for their valiant services in the war. So, again being part of the Bangladesh force, of course is a subject of pride, as all the female recruits mentioned in their vows on 5th June 2016, of the 88th Batch of BGB recruits, and first ever batch of 97 female soldiers. Already, 15 of them got appointed to the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Benapole of Jessore BGB battalion-26. On behalf of her battalion Nargis Akter mentioned in a recent interview, “I’ve taken it as a challenging profession. It feels good to work for the country.” May be now there will also be strong-women memes with these determined Bangladeshi female personnel.
Bangladesh Police Force already had established their female police division back in 1974. As soon as the force had tidied up there hereabouts right after the Liberation War. But it took decades when finally, Bangladesh Army had first started taking female recruits in 2013. But this month was most memorable and historic for the female in force. Just few months back in February, Colonel Dr Nazma Begum, a female officer for the first time in the history of Bangladesh Army, led an UN peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast. Even, first ever American Female Marine Sergeant just signed up for Infantry Contact in June this year. Also, Bangladesh Navy’s first batch of female Sailors completed their training in May this year. Our Air Force is giving thoughts about recruiting female soldiers in the future years. Interesting fact, our neighboring country India just started taking recruits as soldiers and pilots in the Air Force from 2015. Though female involvement in the Military started with the Army in 1992, they haven’t made any progress or gave further thoughts about recruiting females in any other forces. Pakistan also had made some daring progresses about recruiting female in Army by tackling several social and religious obstacles, objections and riots. In that sense, Bangladesh seems like made quite good impression.
The people of Bangladesh feels very much proud that, like any other job sectors women are even earning fames in the Military as well and getting equal chances. Even by the word estimations it is reported that, Bangladesh has made most rapid and biggest improvement in establishing women equality and reducing gender discrimination or oppression, in past decade, in this region. No wonder we are even at a level higher in the World Happiness Ranking than any of our neighboring countries. BGB Director General Major Gen Aziz Ahmed ensured at the at the graduation ceremony of BGB 88th batch in Satkania, Chittagong that, BGB training school will be recruiting female soldiers from now on a regular basis. Such remarks and promises are setting new milestone for the country.
The urgency for female foot soldiers in the forces came for securing basic human rights. We live in a modern world now. Where, even the wars are conducted in more civilized and humane way as possible. They just don’t go all Huns on everyone. Except the wars, any other forces often need to do search mission. Even needs to conduct body searches. Again, there has always been cases where women were subjected, used and even many were directly involved in smuggling. Even criminal cases involve around woman these days. To protect their basic human rights, it is important to have a female personnel to do the body search of suspicious suspects. Recently, there had been several reports about women caught smuggling various types drugs such as Yabba, by strapping them on their bodies. So, it is easy to understand the necessity. Also, female foot-soldiers are better at any other women to women conducts, even better to at convincing and escorting other female criminals. Some, rumors about harsh and rude conducts by the male soldiers toward other women had been heard before. But now there will be women to actually take over these situations.
Another BGB female soldier Nargis Khatun told in an interview, she has joined Benapole border for performing her duty and she is also enjoying her job very much. This is a great news that, these latest female recruits are already getting appointed just within a month’s delay. Higher BGB personnel and authorities are working on appointing rest of the recruits at the suitable and at the places in need of them, as soon as possible.