Women cannot apply for new army as they have not served in national guard

Women are excluded from applying for a job as professional soldiers in the National Guard because one of the prerequisites for candidates is having completed the army service, mandatory for school-leaving Cypriot males, the defence ministry announced on Tuesday.

Responding to a public outcry over discrimination against women, the ministry said the National Guard law stipulates that only people who have completed their mandatory service are eligible.

Therefore, it added, not only women, but also men who were relieved of the army service duty for any reason may not apply.

This was known since February, the Defence ministry noted, when the cabinet decision to reorganise and modernise the National Guard was made and announced.

However, guided by the need for equal opportunity, the ministry said, and promoting a policy of equality, it has already drafted a legislative amendment, which was approved by the cabinet and will be forwarded to parliament’s next session.

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