02 Dec 2018

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Nonofo Molefhi says the number of commissioned and non-commissioned officers at Botswana Defence Force (BDF) is in the ration of one officer to seven non-commissioned officers.

Responding to a question on behalf of the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, he said the number of females enlisted compared to males enlisted per year in ratio stood at five males to one female and the highest rank held by female soldier is Captain.

He said that the inclusion of women in the military had not been subjected any empirical or other assessment by BDF or other bodies and therefore there were no findings to share.

He said militaries in the world admitted women to serve in the army on equal basis as men, subject to their meeting local capabilities needs, recruitment standards and international best practices and this was the case when Botswana started admitting women in the BDF.

Mr Molefhi said that there were cases of fraternisation and sexual harassment and the reported cases were thoroughly investigated and disciplinary actions were taken against offenders which include dismissal.

He said that while guidelines for male soldiers had a long history across all militaries in the world, the standards and ordinances applicable to women were evolving and such ordinances include grooming standards for women, maternity leave/child nursing, physical proficiency test, fraternisation in the military and reporting sexual harassment and/or sexual abuse.

MP for Selebi Phikwe West Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister to update Parliament on women in the military and to specifically state the number of women in the BDF, those who are commissioned and non-commissioned.

He also wanted to know the number enlisted per year compared to men and the highest rank held by a woman.

The legislator further wanted to know whether the inclusion of women in the military had been subjected to any empirical or other assessment by the BDF, Government agencies, local and international independent researchers and is so to share information on the findings.

The minister was also to state whether there were specific challenges such as abuse, harassment or fraternisation faced by women in the military since the recruitment and whether there were military laws and ordinances applicable to enlisted women only. Ends