SA women commended for work in peace-keeping missions
29 Aug 2011
Sisulu said female peace-keepers regard their deployment as an opportunity to put their military training into practice and make it their business to reach out to women and children vulnerable in any civil war.
About 450 female soldiers from all the Defence Force's units took part in the parade. Sisulu said this would now be an annual event on the calendar of the force.
"We salute our women for the sterling contribution they have made and continue to make to ensure the realisation of peace and stability in our country, region and continent," the minister said.
Sisulu added that South Africa has made concerted efforts to accelerate women's involvement in a range of spheres in the military environment, and thus has been recognised as good democratic practice.
In 2007, eight women in the SANDF were promoted to the rank of brigadier-general.
"Young women are joining the SANDF with the realisation that the protection of our country's sovereignty is no longer a male preserve," she said.
South Africa has been contributing to peace-keeping missions for 10 years.
