How KDF female troops are helping in Somalia's transformation

NAIROBI, Kenya - In most countries, the number of female troops is usually minimal but their roles are increasing daily, save for opportunities to fight in battlegrounds, something which informs composition in Infantry teams.

For instance in Kenya Defense Forces [KDF], the milestones of female troops have been significantly recorded in various literary texts, from the removal restrictions to marry, to the amalgamation of the team to the main components as KDF troops.

In fact, Kenya had a first Star female general in 2018 following the elevation of Colonel Fatuma Ahmed to Brigadier. She's since been promoted to Major General, becoming the first lady to hold such a rank in the history of KDF.

And when Kenya sent troops to Somalia, a number of them are women, whose role is mostly anchored in peace-building processes. The female contingent is rarely involved in operations against Al-Shabaab but they are important pillars in promoting peace in Somalia.

For instance, over the weekend in Kismayo, the female KDF troops serving in AMISOM dominated foodstuffs and medical equipment, which targeted mostly Somali women and children who are victims of the Al-Shabaab war and other tragedies.

Senior Sergeant Josephine Kwamboka, an AMISOM nurse with the Kenya AMISOM contingent, said the donation aimed to contribute to Somali women’s empowerment and capacity building.

“Women are the backbone of society. When we bring women together, it creates unity, harmony, and peace. In Somalia, when you get to a woman, you reach society. So, we decided to give medical aid and donate foodstuffs to their families,” said Kwamboka.

The commanding officer of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion under AMISOM, Lt. Col. Owuor Godfree, noted the donation was part of efforts to build cordial relations under the contingent’s initiative of: ‘women empowering women.’

“In the AMISOM mandate, women's participation in peacekeeping is essential, and over time, we have encouraged and increased the numbers of women peacekeepers in AMISOM to touch the hearts of the women in the host communities. Women understand the special needs of fellow women as well as youth and children in the community,” said Owuor.

A beneficiary, Dahabo Nur Mohamed, a mother of six, hailed the AMISOM troops for the support and requested them to reach out to more women in need.

“The female AMISOM soldiers have supported us with food and medicine, and we appreciate their support,” Dahabo said.

The KDF female team has been credited for helping women and children who are victims of the war, giving their motherly care to those who need it the most. They are mostly domiciled in their Forward Operating Bases, besides visiting villages with tight security.

By the end of this year, KDF troops serving in Somalia are set to leave upon full implementation of the Somali Transition Plan [STP], which would see all AMISOM troops hand over security responsibilities to the Somali National Army [SNA].

KDF has close to 3,500 soldiers in Somalia and according to records, about 300 of them are women. The troops have also played an important role in disposing Al-Shabaab from its traditional territories especially Kismayo, the regional administrative capital of Jubaland.

GAROWE ONLINE