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With recent pronouncements on the issue of gender equality in the military, the South African Department of Defence (DoD) has boldly embarked upon a road few other armed forces have travelled, and upon which few appear willing to travel. The DoD is making a concerted effort at increasing the number of women in senior positions and at all decision-making levels in all the arms of service. Yet, according to a study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the South African public is opposed to equal participation of women in the armed services. South Africans do not support a role for women in combat. Nevertheless, most people are in favour of recruiting more women in the armed services. These are some of the findings that emanated from the second joint project regarding public opinion on security issues that the HSRC and the ISS conducted nationally in October 1996. Personal interviews were conducted with 2 200 South African residents of 18 years and older. All nine provinces were included in the survey, and much care was taken to include both rural and urban areas, as well as people from all socio-economic backgrounds. Almost two-thirds of the respondents (65%) in this survey were of the opinion that women should not be allowed to take part in police patrols in dangerous areas, while 30% held the opposite view. Less than 5% were undecided. The strongest opposition to deploying women in dangerous locations came from IFP supporters, of whom 76% were opposed, followed by the PAC with 72%, the Conservative Party with 67%, and the ANC with 66%. There did, however, appear to be general consensus (72%) that, should women be deployed in dangerous areas, they should be accompanied by a male. Regarding the question of whether women should be allowed to volunteer for combat duty, a slightly greater proportion of respondents (48%) disapproved, compared to 46% who expressed themselves in favour of women in combat positions. The political parties with a predominantly white support base were more supportive of women volunteering for combat positions. For example, 62% of Freedom Front, 56% of DP and 47% of NP supporters agreed that women should be allowed to volunteer for combat duty, while 40% of PAC members and 42% of IFP members indicated support for women in this role. Only 46% of ANC supporters agreed that women should be allowed to serve in a combat role. This is quite surprising, especially if one considers the important role that women played in Umkhonto we Sizwe, the former armed wing of the ANC. Genderwise there also appears to be little difference in attitude on this issue. At 48%, women are only slightly more supportive of the idea of being allowed to volunteer for combat duty than are men (46%). Public opinion in South Africa on these issues appears to be remarkably similar to that in America. Several polls conducted in the United States of America revealed that the public and the military are fundamentally opposed to women in ground combat. ?While the DoD has accepted the full integration of women and men at all levels, this is a complex and challenging human resource issue and one that will remain in the public eye for many years to come?, says Dr Jakkie Cilliers, Director of the ISS.
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