Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has praised the women of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for their contribution to peace missions and for making up the largest representation of females in any military on the continent. Speaking at the annual SANDF Women’s Parade on 29 August at the SAAF Mobile Deployment Wing, she linked their service to the historic 1956 Women’s March.

Since its integration in 1994, the SANDF has made progress in advancing gender equality, supported by legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act, the Employment Equality Act, and the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act. Still, women hold only 19% of senior leadership positions, prompting new initiatives to improve representation by mid-2026.

As part of efforts to build a safer and more inclusive environment, Motshekga announced the establishment of a Sexual Conduct Centre in the SANDF. The centre will serve as a secure support space for victims of abuse within the military, with its structure and operational framework scheduled to be finalised by December 2025. Alongside this, the SANDF will implement leadership development programmes and redress initiatives aimed at preparing women for senior roles, with each service division required to account for measurable progress by June 2026. Together, these steps represent a concrete effort to both protect personnel and expand women’s opportunities in the security sector.

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