Somalia Graduates First Female Military Cadets in Historic Break from Patriarchy  

MOGADISHU, Somalia - To instil professionalism in Somalia's military, the country graduated its first-ever female cadets, defying deeply entrenched patriarchy in the Horn of Africa nation, and perhaps showcasing a milestone in gender mainstreaming within the military.

The officers graduated from a Turkish-run military academy in Somalia after three years of rigorous training, courage, and discipline. The officers join hundreds of male counterparts who have gone through Turkish and American academies in Somalia.

The 11 officers have now become the pioneer female cadets in Somalia's Navy, Air Force, and Army, a development seen as a powerful step forward for Somali women in uniform. One will serve in the Air Force, two in the Navy, and the remaining individuals will serve in the Army.

They were among dozens of officers whose graduation ceremony was held recently in Mogadishu."This is an inspiring dawn for the Somali Army," says Battalion Commander Jamal Hassan Ali, who has been monitoring their training..

The cadets will soon head to Türkiye for advanced training to gain new skills and leadership experience to strengthen Somalia's security apparatus. The ceremony was witnessed by army chief General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh at Hassan Tuure Training School.

General Odowaa said the programme would strengthen command structures and improve coordination between officers, non-commissioned officers, and regular soldiers. He described the training as a milestone in professionalising the Somali National Army.

In advanced democracies, the officer cadets form an integral part of the military command structure and guide both training, doctrines, logistics, personnel, and operations, strengthening the military through their professionalism.

Somalia is in the process of state-building, and the United States and Turkey have been instrumental in training and equipping its military, three decades after the fragmentation of the once strongest military on the African continent.

GAROWE ONLINE