General
Source: Bernama
Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula Minister on Tuesday called for more women to serve in the armed forces, Xinhua news agency reported.
In addressing the women's conference at an air force base near Pretoria, Mapisa-Nqakula said the defence department's gender strategy aims to fight inequality and advance human rights.
"Many women in the country could join the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and do well in the various services," she said.
The minister said lack of communication between women and the armed forces is one of the main factors hindering women from joining the forces.
She also admitted that gender empowerment is slow in the armed forces.
"Gender integration has not yet reached the required level we have anticipated, particularly in the higher echelons of leadership in the SANDF. We are still struggling to meet some of the representation targets of 40 per cent at the entry level and 30 per cent at higher levels."
The minister further called for speeding up reform on gender inequality in the armed forces and creating a good environment to attract more women.
The SANDF consists of the army, navy and air force with approximately 100,000 active personnel.