By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S. Reporter
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces has commissioned 70 female soldiers as certified military drivers, marking a major step toward expanding women’s role in peacekeeping and operational logistics.
The 70 graduates completed a 15-week all-female driver training programme at Murray Town Barracks. The programme began in October 2025 with 75 enrollees and is now the largest female driver training initiative conducted within the RSLAF.
The commissioning ceremony was held at the Hockey Pitch Ground in Freetown and was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, UN Women, and senior military officials.
The training was designed to equip female personnel with specialised driving and operational mobility skills. It directly addresses one of the key barriers identified in Sierra Leone’s 2022 Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) assessment, which found that limited access to career-enhancing training, including driving, could restrict women’s eligibility for deployment on international peacekeeping missions.
“By empowering women to serve in critical and non-traditional roles, we are building a force that is more capable, more responsive and more representative of our nation,” said Head of General Services, Sahr David Njaujah. He described the commissioning as a significant milestone in removing barriers that have traditionally limited women’s participation in non-traditional military roles.
UN Women Regional Director for Central and West Africa, Dr. Maxime Houinato, urged that opportunities in the armed forces be based on competence, not perception. “Women in uniform must receive equal opportunities, responsibilities and respect,” he told the graduates.
Deputy Director at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hannah A. Lahai-Robinson, said the initiative aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and Sierra Leone’s Third-Generation National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Sahr David Thomas Ngaogiah, said the newly certified drivers will serve as force multipliers by strengthening military mobility, logistics coordination and overall operational readiness. The graduates also staged practical driving demonstrations showcasing skills acquired during the course.
The programme was implemented by RSLAF in partnership with UN Women and supported by the Elsie Initiative Fund. Officials said the wider project also tackles institutional, training and infrastructure barriers affecting women’s participation in peacekeeping.
With the new certification, the 70 drivers are now eligible for broader roles, including potential deployment in United Nations peace operations.
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