Cadet colleges in Pakistan have, for the longest time, only taken in male students. These colleges are run by the government of Pakistan. The aim is to prepare one of the brightest minds in the country for the military force and civil services.
Boys from cadet colleges who want to join the military after graduation, are given preference over other male candidates because cadet colleges already give them initial training
A huge number of boys from across the country apply each year to study at these colleges. Two of the main reasons are the benefits attached with such a profession and the respect given by the society to these individuals.
However this year, Pakistan established its first ever Girls Cadet College in Mardan
This is a huge step for the armed forces of Pakistan. This is so because girls have never had an exclusive cadet college training them for the armed forces.
However, this is certainly not the first time girls are joining the armed forces. According to the 2015 Credit Suisse report almost 700,000 active personnel in the army are women. A senior official told the AFP that around 4000 women are now serving the armed forces.
We have the example of Ayesha Farooq. In 2013, she became the first female fighter pilot of Pakistan
AJ+, an international media outlet, introduced the first ever Girls Cadet College from Pakistan, to the world
For the first time, young girls in Pakistan are getting an opportunity to train for the armed forces. pic.twitter.com/jWiu7gKV8i
— AJ+ (@ajplus) January 3, 2018
A student at the cadet college, Durkhanay Banuri, aims at becoming the military chief one day
“I want to be the army chief. Why not? When a woman can be prime minister, foreign minister and governor of the State Bank, she can also be chief of the army staff […] I will make it possible and you will see”, she told the AFP.
This is definitely a game changer and the move will push girls to look at alternative career paths
The principal, brigadier retired Javid Sarwar, said “I want these girls to avail their brilliance and fight injustices in society, and this is possible if they get a standard education. Plans are to induct a second batch of 80 girls from all over Pakistan by March next year.”
“It is a game changer in a region where conservative norms see many women keep some form of purdah — confined to women’s-only quarters at home — and could only dream of coming out of their houses in the past”, said college vice principal Shama Javed in an interview with AFP.
Pakistanis are accepting and appreciating the move of the government
Excellent , Proud daughters
— Abu Ahmed (@RaffiHassan) January 5, 2018
Pakistan zindabad
— Rehana Tariq (@RehanaTariq5) January 5, 2018
If religious constraints are removed from our societies, our girls are full of energies.
Proud of you…!— Fakhre Alam (@Iamfakhrealam) January 5, 2018
This is amazing ❤️
— junaid (@junaidakberr) January 4, 2018
We hope that the girls are provided all opportunities to follow their dreams and can serve the nation alongside the men of the country
Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Cover image via dawn.com