Not entirely. It is essentially the countries budget that gets sunk in training a pilot. Now, if that pilot is shot down.. and divulges information in return for not being sexually assaulted or tortured.. who loses the most? Who has more to lose in terms of physical hardship and mental torture .. a man or woman? Can the mental torment of rape followed by illegitimate pregnancy ever be replicated for a man?
Men and women are not equal.. if they were equal they would have similar physical parts and psychology..which is proven to be not the same. Its clear that each was built for certain strengths. Now, that does not mean that there aren't common tasks they cannot carry out equally well. Flying is one. But there are aspects of combat that put women at greater risk compared to men. And yes, a female army medic that gets ambushed is also putting herself in similar danger.. which is why most army medics who are female are at the field hospital.
The first PAF experience with female pilots had many of them out of action after marriage and pregnancy..costing the PAF an asset literally wasting away. Most were unfit to fly after that.. leading to a total loss of investment.
Women can and have defended themselves against men coming out victorious. But that is only when men fail at their primary task.
A female flying CAPs should be encouraged.. but a female on interdiction puts her at risk.
Our society is not ready for women in combat or any role in which she may have to juggle with her family. Unless there is support from the family and they are ready to compromise. It should be disallowed. Western societies have much more independent women who decide their own fate.. that still has time to form here.
What about when she gets married? and has a kid? even with one year maternity leave.. will she be able to return to full fitness?
recent PAF experiences in that regard have not been too positive.
