Botswana

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) will recruit its first batch of women soldiers today. Since its inception in 1977, the BDF has only been enlisting men as soldiers. But after the military was opened to women at cadet level, 1,238 applications were received for 30 positions. Out of these, 856 are university graduates.

The officer cadets will be taught basic military skills, drill and groom before they leave for their 12 months training at the Tanzania Military Academy in Monduli.

Submission to the 90th Session of the Human Rights Committee: July 2007

Botswana maintains an army some 8,500 strong and an air force with about 500 personnel.1 Recruitment into these forces has however always been on a voluntary basis.

20/07/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

There is and has never been conscription in Botswana. [1] [3]

However, Botswana does have 'national service' (Tirelo Setshaba) since 1980, but this is a purely civilian service, not linked to the military in any way. The twelve months' service is open to men and women who have passed their O level exams and participation in it was voluntary until 1984. From 1985 onwards, those who want to work in the public sector or want to continue their studies must have performed national service.