Women Not Being Called Up Under Conscription Law, Presidential Office Clarifies

The Presidential Office has clarified that no women have been called up or enrolled in training under the People’s Military Service Law, dismissing circulating reports claiming that female conscription training has begun.

Presidential Office spokesperson Dr Khaing Khaing Soe made the clarification on 11 August in response to reports alleging that women were being recruited and trained under the People’s Military Service Law.

She said that, at present, only voluntary military training courses for women who have applied of their own accord are being conducted. These include training programmes for enlisted personnel, clerk sergeants and officers.

“There have been no recruitment or training programmes for female military personnel under the People’s Military Service Law,” Dr Khaing Khaing Soe said.

She added that reports claiming a female conscription training course under the People’s Military Service Law was being conducted in Hmawbi were false.

Under the People’s Military Service Law, male conscripts continue to be recruited. Training has now reached Batch No. 27, while trainees up to Batch No. 24 have already completed their courses.