Canadian officers say women warriors proved as effective as men in front-line combat roles in Ottawa's most recent big military engagement, in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2011. But Canada has struggled to fill combat jobs with women, and those who do join can feel isolated as a result. And like Cpl. Moman, many of the women who volunteered for these jobs got the impression that their senior officers used them only sparingly in combat. Proponents argue that it will help the military retain more women, who tend to leave the services permanently when they have children. Opponents argue that allowing women to serve in these roles would limit the military's ability to fight in combat situations.
Statistics are shown for this demographic
Province/Territory
Electoral District (2013)
Electoral District (2011)
Response rates from 29.9k New Democratic voters.
95% Yes |
5% No |
87% Yes |
4% No |
6% Yes, as long as they can pass the same physical tests as men |
0% No, combat roles place women in a high risk situation for sexual assault |
2% Yes, preventing women from serving in combat roles is discriminatory |
0% No, women are not as physically capable as men for combat |
0% No, men are more likely to risk the success of a mission in order to protect a women from danger |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 29.9k New Democratic voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 29.9k New Democratic voters.
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Unique answers from New Democratic voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@9J4QTKJ10mos10MO
Yes, women are able to be as strong as men. There should be a promotion in the target audience for women to serve. There should be sexual assault provention programs and other programs to help women in the force.
@4VTK4QQ4yrs4Y
men and women in a group = couples
@4GYKCFB4yrs4Y
If men can decide to take up arms whether for their own personal economic reasons or their beliefs than women must be allowed and have the duty to take up arms as well. If women are allowed to vote they must be conscripted at the same rate as men. If a woman's ability on the battlefield in combat may make her more vulnerable than a man, and even a liability as well, this needs to be reflected in conscription at a higher rate of woman than men to compensate.
@4QCM3LH4yrs4Y
women serve is Israel...look to them for information on how to utilize women in the armed forces
@44NDCMP4yrs4Y
Not if they are mothers and have small children at home, it is in my believe that a child needs his or her mother to raise them. They actually need both but most importantly the mother for nurturing them.
@4TR5DWK4yrs4Y
Let us look at the damage combat has done to men both physically and mentally. It destroyed them for any future civilian life. Our women do not deserve this, even if they might perform well under constant bombardment.
@9YK7T9B2wks2W
Not allowing women to serve is discrimination, but the military right now is rife with sexual violence and that is a more pressing concern
@9VZWW2H1mo1MO
I think that women should have the option, but just like everyone, they need to understand the risks and be prepared to be treated the same when it comes to serving our country
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