Transformation, Gender Equity, and Empowerment within the DOD

1. PRESENTATION TO THE JSCD ON: TRANSFORMATION, GENDER EQUITY AND EMPOWERMENT WITHIN THE DOD BY MAJ GEN N. MEMELA-MOTUMI 23 JUNE 2011

2. INTRODUCTION • Within the DOD context, the embraced definition of transformation refers to continuous evaluation of the organisation’s policies, procedures and processes in order to respond appropriately to the situation on the ground. • This would result in the building of a disciplined, just, caring, cohesive, representative, efficient and better performing organisation. • This Chief Directorate’s mandate is to direct, orchestrate, monitor, evaluate and report on human rights and equity principles within the DOD and thereby contribute decisively towards the mission readiness.

3. AIM • Is to brief the JSCD on Transformation, Gender Equity and Empowerment within the DOD

4. SCOPE • This presentation will cover the following: • Background • Utilisation of Female Soldiers • Current Status of Women in the SANDF • Empowerment Programmes • The Promotion of Gender Equality within the SANDF • Lessons Learned • Conclusion

5. BACKGROUND/CONTEXT • Women in Defence earned their right to serve in this organisation during the liberation struggle and the bush war when they chose to serve side by side with their male compatriots, even though women in statutory forces were allowed to only serve in support roles. • The achievement of gender equality is a Constitutional Imperative based on Section 9 of the Constitution. • Chapter 6 of the White Paper on Defence (1996) underscores the principle of equality within the SANDF, and further stipulates that representivity in terms of race and gender is fundamental to the legitimacy of this institution.

6. BACKGROUND/CONTEXT contd… • The Ministry of Defence has ever since the democratic dispensation continuously expressed a commitment to align itself to the South African Constitution and the international prescripts on issues relating to gender equity and human rights. Specifically, there has been commitment to the following aspects: • Increasing the representivity of women at all ranks in the SANDF. • The acceptance of women to serve in combat roles. • The provision of empowerment programmes to DOD personnel without exception.

7. UTILISATION OF FEMALE SOLDIERS • A survey conducted within the organisation to determine women’s reasons for joining the military highlighted the following key themes: • Patriotism and the desire to defend and serve our country. • Desire to obtain new life experiences, something out of the ordinary. • To pursue a career, some of whom related that they had always dreamed of being a soldier. • Others expressed a consciousness that the military is a “man’s world” and cited this as the reason for their joining.

8. UTILISATION OF FEMALE SOLDIERScontd… • Further research conducted on the Status of Women in the SANDF sixteen years into democracy indicated the following: • That the acceptance of women’s involvement in military does not imply that prejudice against them does not exist. • Some members across the gender divide harbour patriarchal attitudes with regards to the role of women in military. • Some male colleagues treat women as equals and others as individuals who need to be protected. • Subjecting women and men to the same training fosters cohesion and effectiveness.

9. UTILISATION OF FEMALE SOLDIERScontd… • Women in Peace Support Missions have been deployed as Officers Commanding, Air Traffic Controllers, Cargo Handlers, Guards, Medical Task Team Commanders, Specialists in DDR etc. • During their debriefs, female peacekeepers have indicated that the benefits of deploying them results in the following: - They experience their deployment as an opportunity to put their military training into practice. - They are trusted by the local chiefs and as a result thereof, they are able to interact with the communities they protect and initiate projects. - They serve as role models to local women and convey a positive message of equality and non- discrimination.

10. STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE SANDF 10

11. STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE SANDFcontd… • The former Chief of the SANDF instructed that the recruitment of females be increased from 30 to 40 percent at entry level from the year 2010.The rationale being that this would enable the SANDF to create a pool that would serve as a feeder system for women’s advancement to senior ranks in the future. • The ergonomics of military equipment is experienced as a challenge by some women because of the demand for physical strength. • However, it is important to note that the modernisation of our landward capability is addressing the challenges experienced. • Maj Labuschagne has made the SANDF proud by being the first women in the world to fly a Gripen fighter aircraft solo.

12. EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES • In order to chip away the patriarchic attitude harboured by both women and men in Defence, the following empowerment programmes are undertaken: • Gender Issues have been incorporated in the Military Basic Training conducted by all Services. • Currently presentations on gender issues are made at the War College and at the Executive National Security Programme in order to raise their awareness.

13. EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMEScontd….. • Commanders and Instructors at Infantry School have been trained on Gender Dynamics and Perspectives so as to be able to incorporate them in their military training. • Gender Perspective Modules have been incorporated in all the courses conducted at the Peace Mission Training Centre. • A specific Gender Course is conducted annually for members interested in deploying as Gender Advisors in Peace Support Operations. • Women Leadership Training from all levels has been instituted in order to enhance their assertiveness and decision-making skills.

14. THE PROMOTION OF GENDER EQUALITY WITHIN THE SANDF • The 2nd Defence Review has provided an opportunity to integrate Gender Perspectives, Plans, Processes and Mission Assessments in the Revised Defence Strategy. • A Gender Mainstreaming Council (GMC) consisting of representatives from Services/Divisions has been established. Its brief is to meet once a month to reflect on all issues that impinge on the advancement of women in Defence and provide strategic direction. • An Action Plan has been developed that assists the SANDF to comply with gender equality obligations reflected in the Constitution, National Framework and International Protocols.

15. THE PROMOTION OF GENDER EQUALITY WITHIN THE SANDF contd… • The Plan reflects that the Performance Agreements of all Service and Division Chiefs, including their Quarterly and Annual Reports indicate progress and challenges experienced in the advancement of gender equality within the SANDF. • Feedback on the issues raised in the Council is given to the Secretary for Defence, CSANDF and Chiefs of Services/Divisions. • A DOD Instruction stipulating how Sexual Misconduct must be tackled within the organisation, will be presented to the 27 June DSC for promulgation.

16. LESSONS LEARNED • Political will alone cannot transform Armed Forces, the support of Service Chiefs must thus be solicited. • Consensus building on the gains of promoting gender equality is underscored annually through the DOD’s Gender Conferences. This has ensured that all stakeholders understand that the achievement of gender equity is not a zero-sum game implying loss for men and victory for women. • This has slowly but surely made DOD personnel to realise that it is a question of women and men being given equal opportunities, rights and resources to enable them to realise their full potential. • However, the reality is that women will continue to be something of a novelty as long as their numbers remain small. Their performance will also continue to be subjected to scrutiny from all sides, even from their subordinates.

17. CONCLUSION • The endorsement of the Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan and its implementation at all levels of Commands has ensured the advancement of female soldiers within the SANDF. • Thus far, it may seem that women’s integration within the SANDF has proceeded smoothly with the full support of the military system and male colleagues. • However, it is important to note that women’s involvement has also been challenged as a result of the attitudes of some individual men in the SANDF – men who tell women that they should not complain about lack of ablution facilities in deployment areas, disregard women’s military authority, and sexually harass women.

18. CONCLUSION contd… • The changed gender configurations within the SANDF has resulted in both women and men participating fully in the provision of the envisaged security. • There is no great a superfluity of men fit for high duties, that society can afford to reject the services of any competent person. • The SANDF accepts that women should be considered when available and distinguished to perform the tasks at hand. Thanks for your attention!!