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Gender Equality In Combat : The Role Of Women In The Military

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Gender equality: “ the state of having the same rights, status and opportunities as others, regardless of gender” (dictionary.com). The reality of women in combat or warfare is a heatedly debated subject; in many societies, women do not engage in such events. In most armies, male soldiers make up the majority of the armed forces and an incredible 90% of combat forces (King 134). Although in previous times women have been the support from home, there is without a doubt, women who are more than willing to work to meet the requirements needed in order join the military and engage in front line warfare. Are female soldiers who want to see front line combat to be considered part of their civic duty or just a military liability? In the Mexican Revolution of 1910 to 1920, women played a significantly active role along side their men in the struggle for power. While the Mexican Revolution was about democracy, for its female soldiers it was about equality. Not only did they aid and comfort wounded soldiers, but when necessary fought along side them in their battles (Macias 54). At first, it was said that combat was no place for a woman, but when the Mexican army began to lose more men than they could recruit, female soldiers or “Adelitas” decided not to waste the opportunity (Fuentes 528). The women of the revolution figured that if they fought along side the men, then they would have the right to rid themselves of the oppression and be rewarded with equality. In 1934, the Civil

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