The debate over whether there is a place for women in war is eternal. But, as a matter fact, women have fought and died in combat alongside men for centuries. In the 21st century many military professions believed to be male-only are open to women. This photo gallery shows female soldiers in the ranks of armies and paramilitary groups around the world.
© REUTERS / Erik De Castro/Files US Army soldier Norma Gonzales reads a magazine next to fellow soldiers while waiting to be ferried by a helicopter to different US military bases in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan.
US Army soldier Norma Gonzales reads a magazine next to fellow soldiers while waiting to be ferried by a helicopter to different US military bases in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan.
© REUTERS / Zohra Bensemra/Files Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, climbs up to a Chinese-made F-7PG fighter.
Ayesha Farooq, 26, Pakistan's only female war-ready fighter pilot, climbs up to a Chinese-made F-7PG fighter.
© REUTERS / Amir Cohen/Files An Israeli soldier of the Caracal battalion stands next to backpacks after finishing a 20-kilometre march in Israel's Negev desert.
An Israeli soldier of the Caracal battalion stands next to backpacks after finishing a 20-kilometre march in Israel's Negev desert.
© REUTERS / Shamil Zhumatov/FilesA Donetsk People's Republic militiawoman stands on a truck as she gets ready to take position near the Sergey Prokofiev International Airport during fighting with Ukrainian government forces in Donetsk.
A Donetsk People's Republic militiawoman stands on a truck as she gets ready to take position near the Sergey Prokofiev International Airport during fighting with Ukrainian government forces in Donetsk.
© REUTERS / Eliana Aponte/Files Members of the Palestinian security forces stand at attention and listen to their commanding officer at their training facility in the West Bank town of Jericho.
Members of the Palestinian security forces stand at attention and listen to their commanding officer at their training facility in the West Bank town of Jericho.
© REUTERS / Jacky Chen/Files Female North Korean soldiers patrol along the banks of Yalu River, near the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong.
Female North Korean soldiers patrol along the banks of Yalu River, near the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong.
© REUTERS / Muhammad HamedMembers of the Jordanian police women's team attend the 7th Annual Warrior Competition at the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center in Amman.
Members of the Jordanian police women's team attend the 7th Annual Warrior Competition at the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center in Amman.
© REUTERS / Ahmed Jadallah/Files Kurdish Peshmerga female fighters take part in combat skills training before deploying to fight the Islamic State at their military camp in Sulaimaniya, northern Iraq.
Kurdish Peshmerga female fighters take part in combat skills training before deploying to fight the Islamic State at their military camp in Sulaimaniya, northern Iraq.