Daily Current Affairs Notes for 11 March 2023

For the first time in 25 years, Colombia has extended military service to women. In February, a group of 1,296 women were recruited into the country's army.

More About the recent recruits by the Colombian Army:

During the recruitment period, the newly enlisted individuals are required to reside in military bases for several months, and they will receive a monthly stipend of approximately $75. Despite the low pay, some of the female recruits are optimistic that the program will help them establish a career in the military, presenting opportunities for stable employment and education.

In Colombia, military service has been mandatory for men aged 18 to 24 for quite some time. The country's army has relied on these young men to fill positions at bases, safeguard infrastructure, and perform administrative duties, while trained soldiers handle drug cartels and insurgent factions. Recently, the government permitted women within the same age group to join the military on a voluntary basis, which the army claims is an initiative to increase the participation of women in its ranks.

Composition of the Colombian army:

• The Colombian army comprises approximately 200,000 soldiers, of which only around 1% are women. Prior to the recent changes, women were only able to enlist after completing military education or by applying for administrative positions.
• Annually, Colombia enlists approximately 50,000 men into its armed forces for a mandatory 12-month military service.

Colombia’s New Push Enlist Females in its Army:

As Colombia's Congress considers a bill to replace mandatory military service with internships in areas such as education, environmental projects, and human rights initiatives, the country has decided to allow women to join the military. This move is part of an effort to promote the inclusion of women in the armed forces.

Military officers in Colombia have opposed this legislation, saying it would diminish the army’s capabilities.

Colombia: FAST FACTS:

• OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Colombia
• FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic
• CAPITAL: Bogotá
• POPULATION: 48,168,996
• OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Spanish
• CURRENCY: Peso
• PRESIDENT: Gustavo Francisco Petro
• AREA: 439,619 square miles (1,138,910 square kilometers)
• MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Andes, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
• MAJOR RIVERS: Magdalena, Cauca, Atrato, Sinú

Nepal elects Ram Chandra Paudel as its next president

Ram Chandra Paudel has been elected as the new President of Nepal after securing 33,800 electoral votes, as confirmed by the Nepalese Election Commission. His opponent, Subash Chandra Nembwang, received only 15,500 votes. Paudel received votes from 352 members of provincial assemblies and 214 members of parliament.

The President of Nepal is chosen by an electoral college comprising representatives from the federal parliament and the provincial assembly. The electoral college consists of 882 members, including 550 representatives from each of the country's seven provincial assemblies and 332 members of parliament. Ram Chandra Paudel, having secured the necessary votes, will succeed Bidya Devi Bhandari as the new President of Nepal.

About Ram Chandra Paudel

• Furthermore, Ram Chandra Paudel has previously served as the President of Nepal, Cabinet Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister.
• Ram Chandra Paudel was associated with the Nepali Congress Tanhu District Committee, where he held various positions over the years. He served as the general secretary between 2005 and 2007, vice president from 2007 to 2015, and acting president from 1980 to 2005.
• Ram Chandra Paudel has held several prominent positions in Nepal's government. He served as the Speaker of the Parliament from December 1994 to March 1999, as well as the Minister of Local Development from May 1991 to May 1992 and the Minister of Agriculture from May 1992 to May 1991.

About Nepal

• The Shah dynasty created the kingdom of Nepal;
• Prime Minister: Pushpa Kamal Dahal;
• Capital: Kathmandu;
• Currency: Nepalese Rupee.