The New Defenders

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Colombia is allowing women to join the country’s military following a 25-year ban, a move that army officials say is part of an effort to “strengthen the role of women” in its ranks, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Current rules require Colombian men between the ages of 18 and 24 to do military service. Annually, Colombia drafts around 50,000 men into the army for 12-month stints.

But this year, officials allowed females in the same age range to voluntarily join the armed forces. Last month, nearly 1,300 women enlisted in its ranks.

The recruits must live on military bases for around three months and earn a monthly stipend of around $75. For many women, the opportunity to join the army marks an important milestone, as well as the chance for a stable job and educational opportunities.

The Colombian army has around 200,000 men. Around one percent are women who joined after completing military universities or applying for administration positions.

The armed forces heavily rely on recruits to staff bases, protect infrastructure and other administrative tasks. Meanwhile, its professional soldiers are tasked with fighting drug trafficking gangs and rebel groups.

The current campaign to allow females to enlist comes as Colombia’s congress discusses a plan that would abolish obligatory military service and allow young men to substitute their service for internships in educational programs, environmental projects or human rights initiatives.

Army officials have opposed the plan, saying that it will weaken the army’s capabilities.