Story by Fungai Jachi
THE Minister of Defence, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri says the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) remains committed to upholding gender equity in human capital development which is a constitutional requirement.
The Minister who was addressing a graduation ceremony at the Zimbabwe Staff College in Harare said, women’s empowerment remains critical pursuant to the vision of the Second Republic on mechanisation and modernisation of the ZDF.
A total of 50 local and foreign army officers who completed the Junior Staff Course were graduating.
“I am glad that the graduating course today had a female participation of 11 female officers, which culminates to 22 percent. Let me commend the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for continuing to uphold gender equity in human capital development in the ZDF, which is a constitutional requirement for all ministries and government departments. We will continue to support the empowerment of our uniformed women,” she said.
She added that the participation of allied students is a deliberate effort aimed at strengthening regional defence and security cooperation and enhancing the interoperability of forces within the SADC Standby Force.
“ZDF will continue to participate in military exchange programmes with other defence forces from the region and beyond in order to keep abreast with modern developments in both technology and doctrine,” she added.
The Junior Staff Course is a junior-level course designed for local officers to groom them to be competent to undertake Grade III Staff Officer Appointments in any formation.
Of the 50 graduates, 11 were allied students.
Meanwhile, the best students were rewarded for their exceptional performances during the course, with Captain Sarudzai Makoti taking the Overall Best Student Award.
The best performers received prize money courtesy of Minister Muchinguri Kashiri.
