- DEFENCE
Internal Achievements and Challenges
- The military career paths of women are theoretically the same as for
men. Women undergo the same training and can apply for the same posts,
including combat posts, as men. However, there is still a great deal
of resistance to women serving in combat. This comes from men and women
inside the Defence Force, as well as from spouses and the general public.
- The Department is fighting the perception that women cannot be mothers
and continue to be an asset to the military.
- A senior officer (Deputy Director level) has been appointed to deal
solely with gender issues in the Department
- There are 7 women at senior management level today, compared to none
in 1994. There are 5 women generals and 2 civilian women who have the
rank of director or higher.
- 25.5% of the women in uniform hold the rank of lieutenant or higher,
but 73% of these female officers are white.
- The majority of female senior officers are still concentrated in either
personnel posts or in the medical services.
- Since 1994, women in the lower ranks can be found across the broad
spectrum of occupations, including combat. However, it can take up to
17 years in the military to become a colonel, which means that the demographics
in the Department are unlikely to change much in the short or medium
term, even if an aggressive affirmative action plan for women is followed.
- The percentage of women in the Department is 19%.
- Approximately 53% of the women in the Department are women in uniform
- The percentage of women serving in uniform in the SANDF, namely 13%,
is one of the highest in the world.
- The Equal Opportunities Chief Directorate has drafted the following
policies, plans and programmes:
- Affirmation of Women in the Department
- Representivity
- Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children
- Prevention of Sexual Harassment
- Sexual orientation
- General Diversity Issues
- Service benefits like: medical benefits for dependents, medical
aid contributions.
- Housing benefits are all being given consideration by the Department
in terms of gender equality.
- A Department Gender Forum has been established to promote and
monitor gender equity and equality.
- The Department’s Gender Forum works closely with the OSW
and the CGE, who provide assistance and guidance inaligning the
Department’s policies with national objectives and with the
policies of other departments.
- The SANDF still exhibits a strong patriarchy, and to eradicate
this the Department is doing ongoing gender sensitivity training
at all levels.
- Adjustments are being made to instruments and weapons to accommodate
the physical differences between men and women.