Women in the Sharifistani military

Women are present in all roles of the Sharifistani military except the infantry and the Air Cavalry Guards. Women are especially likely to be members of the Royal Medical Corps.

History

At the establishment of Sharifistan in 1922, female enlisted personnel in the Royal Sharifistani Army were only allowed in five Corps: the Logistics Corps, the Royal Medical Corps, the Catering Corps and the Royal Women’s Corps and the Royal Sharifistani Army Intelligence Corps. Female officers were also prohibited from combat roles (though female personnel were issued weapons with which to defend themselves).

In 1939, women were permitted in all roles in the Army except the infantry.

In 2014, Sultan Suleiman Khan allowed women to join the Navy.

There were never any restrictions on women in the Air Cavalry besides prohibiting them from serving in the Air Cavalry Guard.

Current regulations

Women may do any job in any branch of the military except for the infantry. Women are especially likely to work in the Royal Medical Corps and Logistics Corps.

Treatment

Women in the Sharifistani military a generally feel valued by their male colleagues. Rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment are not tolerated, with punishments ranging from death as the norm for a person convicted of rape at court-martial (whether a serviceman or captured enemy) to 80 lashes for sexual harassment.

Nevertheless female military personnel often feel patronised by terms of endearment such as “kitten” being given to enlisted women by their male colleagues or by the title Bakire Sharif (translated as “young noblewoman”) given to officers which could also translate as “noble virgin”.

In addition relatively low-level sexual harassment by officers of subordinates does occur and is underreported amongst inexperienced female recruits.

Uniform

For operational purposes women wear a uniform described as a “war Çarşaf“, it contains a Çarşaf-like cloak covering from the lower part of the face to the upper legs, trackpants covering the lower legs (for greater manoeuvrability) and a helmet covering the hair.

Body armour is worn underneath for protection.

For ceremonial purposes a normal Khimar (headscarf) and Çarşaf is worn along with a name badge and epaulettes. Female officers also wear gold jewellery on ceremonial occasions.

Numbers

Women make up 3.5% of the Royal Sharifistani Army, 6.5% of the Royal Air Cavalry and 1.61% of the Royal Sharifistani Navy.

Within the Army,women make up 25.5% of the Royal Medical Corps and 8.5% of the Logistics Corps.

Women within the Air Cavalry are represented more or less proportionately in Logistics and enlisted aircrew and make up the majority of the medical officers (including doctors), medics and nurses whilst being underrepresented in most Officer roles including as fighter pilots.

See also

LGBT people in the Sharifistani military

Religious minorities in the Sharifistani military

Kurds in the Sharifistani military

Convicted criminals in the Sharifistani military

Social class in the Sharifistani military

Women in law enforcement in Sharifistan