Kinilala ni House Deputy Speaker at Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng mga babaeng sundalo hindi lang sa pagbabantay ng kapayapaan at seguridad sa bansa sa gitna ng hamon ng gender equality.
Sa talumpati ng mambabatas sa opening ceremony ng pagdiriwang ng National Women’s Month ng 2nd Infantry Division ng Philippine Army, tinukoy nito ang hamon na kailangan nilang harapin, upang patunayan na kaya nilang makipagsabayan sa mga lalaking sundalo.
“What makes the achievements of women soldiers more impressive is the pressure they experience as they are immersed in the Armed Forces which has been considered for a long time as an only-male profession. It is not just about individual accomplishments but a reflection on the capabilities of women as a sector,” pagbibigay diin ni Villar.
Hinimok naman ni Villar ang mga women soldier na hikayatin ang mga batang babae na sumunod din sa kanilang yapak at gabayan ang iba pang mga kababaihan sa pagkamit ng kanilang mga pangarap at potensyal.
Sinimulang tanggapin ang mga kababaihan sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) salig sa Republic Act 3835 noong 1963.
Habang 1993, sa pamamagitan ng RA 7192 ay pinayagan na sumailalim sa training bilang combat soldiers ang mga kababaihan.
“Aside from combat duties, women have been invaluable in the security and development sector as well as in peace building activities of the government. They have contributed in making government policies more responsive to issues and concerns of women, thereby strengthening the role of women in nation-building,” sabi pa ni Villar.
Hanggang nitong 2020, mayroon nang anim na babaeng sundalo ang naitalaga bilang battalion commanders, 795 female officers, at 3,777 women-soldiers. | ulat ni Kathleen Jean Forbes
