DND: More women joining military reflects gender equality

The Department of National Defense on Friday said there has been an increased amount of interest from women to enlist in the various branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

 

DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin confirmed this following graduation ceremonies at the Officer Candidate School at the AFP Theater.

 

“Maraming [babaeng] nagiging intersado sa Armed Forces, pag-e-enlist sa Armed Forces kahit sa PMA (Philippine Military Academy),” he said.

 

“Maraming kumukuha ng exam at maraming pumasa so that means malaki ang interest ng mga babae sumama sa kasundaluhan,” he added.

 

Gazmin said this reflects their strong program on gender equality even noting that many women were top in their classes particularly in the Navy.

 

“Ibig sabihin maganda ang programa natin on equality of gender, 'yung gender empowerment, gender awareness and development,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, Gazmin said the biggest challenge for new graduates of the military officer program would be the upcoming 2016 elections.

 

“Number one, sinabi ko nga kanina na 'yung election, 'yan ang pinakamalaking event na mangyayari next year at tsaka ngayon pa lang nag umpisa na 'yung election fever so kinakailangang ma-secure natin para maging peaceful and orderly,” he said.

 

But Gazmin said fresh graduates will first undergo a training program before they are deployed to critical areas in Mindanao where security will be doubled for the event.

 

The presidential elections will be held in May next year. —Andrei Medina/KG, GMA News