Armenian Human Rights Defender Armen Tatoyan says he wants to break the accepted stereotype in Armenia that military service is only for men.

In a statement released today, Tatoyan proposes a number of legislative changes that he says would defend the rights of women serving in the military and lessen discrimination against them.

The most drastic of the proposals would allow women to hold any office in any sector of the military.

The list of changes says nothing about allowing women to fight on the frontline with male soldiers.

While there are a handful of women officers in the military, they are mostly relegated to desk jobs within the defense ministry.

Tatoyan proposes that military husbands and wives be assigned to posts as close to one another as possible so that they can live together.

Tatoyan also calls for more press coverage on women in the military and the vital role they play.

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender calls on the military to take immediate steps to change the attitude towards women  officers within its own officer ranks.

Tatoyan also wants to see gender equality classes taught at all military schools in Armenia.