Gender Roles In The Military Essay

1396 Words6 Pages

The gender role in military as women categorized and stereotyped by men has never been easy. Military does not require muscular or gender power for leadership in combat or command positions. Some men believe that women in command will weaken the military tradition or military in context. The gender role of “women” and “soldiers” proved to many that is uncontested in World War I and II when women served as auxiliaries. Women have a long history of service in the military.
During that World War era, women had to step up to perform critical army jobs while men had to fight. According to the Constitution of South Africa (1996), women have equal opportunity and should be given the right to equal opportunities in the military for their professional growth. Sexual harassment policies are in place that include a wide range of unwanted or uninvited activities causing sexual favours. This concludes …show more content…

Women are now being placed in combat leadership positions. In 1996, Brigadier Jackie Sedibe became the first woman in the military to be promoted to the rank of major general. She was appointed to oversee the implementation of new SANDF policies concerning the treatment of women. Men and women are equal and must be treated as such. Women have proven themselves as being competent and qualified for tasks and jobs in the military even under stressful or dangerous conditions. Men are allowed to choose combat and women should also be given this choice. Society will not suffer because not all women desire to fight in war-like conditions or deployments. Recently, there are numerous women who serve as Generals and Admirals. They consist of all components of the forces including serving in combat units and onboard ships. Women have progressed in the military in great amounts which hopefully will continue to do so in the