Armenia plans to introduce voluntary military service for women

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued an address on the occasion of Army Day and stated that the country is preparing to introduce voluntary military service for women.

"In the near future we are planning to introduce a completely new institution of voluntary military service for women in the Republic of Armenia, and today I must say special words of gratitude to our sisters who serve under contract in our army, including combat service," the prime minister said in a statement, Kommersant reports.

He also announced the start of the process of replacing the three-month training camp with a one-month or 25-day training camp, "because the combat efficiency of reservists is as important as that of conscripts".

According to Nikol Pashinyan, the defence budget for 2023 has more than doubled compared to 2018. He said the authorities are working to equip the army with modern weapons and military equipment and are trying to encourage local manufacturers.

"There are challenges in the army in the reform process because the unstable security environment brings with it new challenges that sometimes provoke mistakes," the prime minister said in a statement.

Compulsory conscription for women is in place in Israel, the DPRK, Taiwan, Greece, Myanmar, Malaysia, Eritrea, Norway, and Sweden. The day before, Denmark announced the need to conscript women.