Enlisting of BDF Women Soldiers
The Botswana Defence Force made history in 2007 as it recruited the first batch of women soldiers since its inception in 1977. The BDF has only been enlisting men as soldiers. The initial enrolment of women consisted of degree holders who were later deployed under units like the Air Arm Command, Ground Forces Command, and Defence Logistics Command.
The officer cadets were taught basic military skills, drill and groom before they left for their 12 months training at the Tanzania Military Academy in Monduli. The enlistment of female soldiers was seen as a welcome development in the country for gender equality in employment.
The call in Botswana for the introduction of women into the military has long been the focus of public and parliamentary debate. Vision 2016 had called for the government to either amend or repeal all laws, policies and practices that discriminated against women and specifically called for the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) to admit women into its structures or ranks.
The admission of women into the ranks of the BDF marked an important social and cultural shift from the past and brought the military in line with a national social system in which women are increasingly filling leadership positions.
