NDF needs a ‘woman’s touch’
Too few women in army
The defence ministry is looking at strategies to empower more women in the army though its gender policy.
The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) is on a mission to strengthen institutional mechanisms to address gender inequalities within its ranks, as well as increase the involvement of women at all decision-making levels, peace processes and conflict resolutions.
This resolution was made at the NDF’s five-day Gender Policy Validation Workshop that took place in Swakopmund recently.
It was revealed at the workshop that gender empowerment is one of the challenges faced by the ministry, considering that the number of women in uniform is too low compared to their male counterparts, and that there is still some resistance among members that are uncomfortable with the empowerment of women.
Reactionary tendencies
“The policy aims to give guidelines that will help the adoption of strategies aimed to empower women and eliminate tendencies that view women with contempt.
"These are generally due to cultural upbringing. This reactionary tendency should be shunned by all progressive people,” said Colonel Agatha Amadhila, head of the gender division at the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs.
The Gender Policy is aimed at establishing a gender balance in line with national, regional, continental and international standards.
“We must remember that gender issues have become a significant subject in the military sector. Many armed forces, including the NDF, recognise that mixed teams of female and male troops may better fulfil mission goals.
"As a result, the NDF aims at recruiting, retaining, and promoting more women in senior roles, as well as to build strong morale and prevent internal abuse within the armed forces,” said Amadhila.
The workshop aligned the draft policy with the National Gender Policy, which is also under review.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs is charged with overseeing the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, which is based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on WPS.
This resolution was made at the NDF’s five-day Gender Policy Validation Workshop that took place in Swakopmund recently.
It was revealed at the workshop that gender empowerment is one of the challenges faced by the ministry, considering that the number of women in uniform is too low compared to their male counterparts, and that there is still some resistance among members that are uncomfortable with the empowerment of women.
Reactionary tendencies
“The policy aims to give guidelines that will help the adoption of strategies aimed to empower women and eliminate tendencies that view women with contempt.
"These are generally due to cultural upbringing. This reactionary tendency should be shunned by all progressive people,” said Colonel Agatha Amadhila, head of the gender division at the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs.
The Gender Policy is aimed at establishing a gender balance in line with national, regional, continental and international standards.
“We must remember that gender issues have become a significant subject in the military sector. Many armed forces, including the NDF, recognise that mixed teams of female and male troops may better fulfil mission goals.
"As a result, the NDF aims at recruiting, retaining, and promoting more women in senior roles, as well as to build strong morale and prevent internal abuse within the armed forces,” said Amadhila.
The workshop aligned the draft policy with the National Gender Policy, which is also under review.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs is charged with overseeing the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, which is based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on WPS.
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