Macapá (AP) – As part of the program for Exercise CORE 23, the Gender Panel “Women, peace and security” was held on Monday morning, 6, in the auditorium of the 22nd Jungle Infantry Brigade.
The topic is part of a global agenda, governed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which is based on recognizing women as critical agents in preventing and resolving conflicts and rebuilding stable societies around the world. The panel also discussed issues related to the presence of women in military careers.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the New York National Guard, Brigadier General Smith, has been in the military for 35 years and said that to reach the highest rank in the US Force she had to be tenacious to overcome challenges. “There were some challenges that I encountered, however, over the years, I learned to overcome them in both mental and physical capacity. I’ve found ways around it and to make sure they know that I have a voice, just like my male colleagues, and that I have ideas just like them. So I think it’s important that we send this message to other women who are joining the army, so that they know they can excel too.”
Currently, more than 13,000 military women make up the ranks of the Brazilian Army in various areas of activity. General Vinícius, who commanded the Corps of Cadets at the Agulhas Negras Military Academy during the training period for the first class of women, highlighted the importance of the female segment: “It’s interesting to see how women in the military have been conducting their activities within the Brazilian Army; to see the seriousness, professionalism and maturity of women in carrying out their various duties. Ever since the Academy, we’ve seen that there’s no distinction in the way they’re treated and the way they conduct their activities. This breaks some taboos and shows that they are conquering their place in the Land Force.”
In exercise CORE 23, eight female soldiers make up the Task Force. Staff Sergeant Ingrid Freitas, from the Health Service class of 2011, believes that even though they are a minority, the institution is recognizing the role of military women. “Today, I can see how hard the Army is working so that we can occupy our spaces equally.”
Source: Northern Military Command