Armenia announces conscription of women aged 18-27

Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan has said that with the adoption of a law in Armenia, women aged 18 to 27 years can apply for military service.

He made the remarks when presenting the relevant amendments to the laws "On military service and the status of soldiers" and "On Defence" at a relevant commission meeting, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Military service for women will be compulsory but on a voluntary basis.

According to the proposed amendments, women would serve for six months, after which they would receive a lump sum of 1 million drams ($2,600). In case of early demobilization due to health reasons, this amount will be divided by 6 months. The servicemen will also receive a certain salary during the service itself, but the amount has not been determined yet. It will take into account the minimum consumption basket for women, including basic necessities for women.

Women conscripted into the army will be assigned to a military unit without the possibility of subsequent transfer to other units. A special barracks is currently under construction as part of one of the military training units. A women's company will be located there. A women's battalion will be created on the basis of the company, with the prospect of forming a women's regiment, and the command staff will also be appointed from among women.

At the meeting, Gegham Manukyan, an MP from the "Armenia" bloc, asked whether women will be demobilized if they have been on short-term leave during the six months of service and return to the unit "in a position," and whether there is any risk that such cases will be numerous.

"If there are such encouraging cases, we will only welcome them," the minister said in response.

Papikyan noted that after six months, the connection with the now-former servicemen is not lost. Service will be the basis for enrolling them in the reserve, and if necessary, they may be called up again.

If the legislative amendments are passed by parliament, the service could be launched as early as during the 2023 winter conscription.