Australia lifts restrictions for women in combat roles
16:52, 27 September 2011
CANBERRA. September 27. KAZINFORM Australian women will be able to serve alongside their male counterparts in front line combat roles, the government said Tuesday; Kazinform refers to CNN.
The new plan will be phased in over a five-year period.
Australia's decision makes it one of only a few countries in the developed world with no restrictions for women in combat. Canada and Israel are among the other nations that allow so.
The United States prevents women in serving in certain combat roles.
As of last month, 335 women were serving in the Australian Defence Force's international military operations. The figure represents 10% of the total overseas deployment, the ministry said.