Department of Military History

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Browsing Department of Military History by Author "Dube, Boitumelo Joyce"

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    Gender equality in the South African National Defence Force
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Dube, Boitumelo Joyce; Makau, K. L.; Mkhize, M. C.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Military Sciences. Dept. of Military History.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Gender equality is a human rights value enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa. This study investigated gender equality in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) by focusing on women in uniform from 2014 to 2020. The research examined how the SANDF interprets national policy documents and legislation on gender equality in order to address and understand gender equality. The reviewed literature suggests that armed forces integrate women into militaries due to national security requirements and as capitulation to social, economic, and political expediency. However, over time, militaries have gradually become more receptive to the recruitment of women. The study examined women’s engagement in influential leadership positions, promotion, and deployment to foreign countries, as well as the utilisation of women by the different arms of service of the SANDF. This study conducted a comprehensive literature review of hard and soft sources such as dissertations, books, and policies related to gender issues. The study adopted a qualitative approach to collect data. The study’s findings revealed that the Department of Defence (DoD) and SANDF are cognisant of transformation issues such as affirmative action and gender equality; however, the presence of women and representation in the SANDF have not translated into gender equality as women account for only 27.85% of the total population of the SANDF. In senior management positions, women account for 23.49%, which is far less than the 50% target set by the organisation. The highest representation of women is in the lower rungs of the ranks (Lieutenant Colonels / Commanders to Privates) and accounts for 56.67% of the total SANDF population. The study concluded that the SANDF has ambitious policies and has made legislative efforts to integrate women into its arms of service; however, the SANDF lacks de jure transformation. After more than 25 years, the SANDF remains a male-dominated organisation. The study recommends that the DOD and SANDF review their current transformation policies to improve the implementation and evaluation of the existing approaches. This action will create a conducive environment for transformation, gender equality, and affirmative action. The government, the DOD, and the SANDF must implement radical change, including adopting best practices inside and outside the military environment, where the demonstration of critical mass is by decision-making power and not just by numbers.