Pretoria - Chief of the South African Navy, Admiral Refiloe Mudimu, today called on women to seize opportunities and not be spectators.
Speaking at the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) gender seminar in Pretoria, Mudimu said government recognised the importance of women economic empowerment.
"Government recognises women and acknowledges that there is more that still needs to be done to uplift women."
The seminar was part of activities aimed at celebrating Women's Month.
Mudimu urged women to be participants in the country's democracy.
"The future and destiny of our country lies in our hands," he said, adding that there was a need for women to champion the agenda of government.
He told delegates that the dream of the Defence Force is to see everyone growing, especially women, to occupy senior positions.
"In the Defence Force, if anyone undermines the capabilities of women, he is not part of the defence."
Mudimu said the Defence Force needed to do things differently to recognise women.
On Monday, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu commended women who were taking part in peace-keeping missions, saying defending the country was no longer a male only preserve.
According to Sisulu, 21% of the soldiers deployed in peace-keeping missions are women.
