The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the dissolution of a longstanding advisory committee that has advocated for increasing the role of women in the military. The committee, which has existed for nearly a century, has been a key player in shaping policies related to female service members, including issues such as combat roles, living conditions, and military training. The Pentagon spokesperson stated that the panel’s advocacy for a ‘divisive feminist agenda’ has influenced policies that the department now believes are no longer aligned with its strategic priorities.
This decision has sparked immediate debate, with supporters of the panel arguing that the committee’s work has been instrumental in advancing gender equality within the armed forces. Critics, however, have called the dissolution a step toward reinforcing traditional gender roles in military service. The move is seen as part of a broader trend of revisiting policies related to gender and military readiness, with some analysts suggesting that the change could have implications for the future composition and effectiveness of the armed forces.