KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (Bernama) — Women must cast aside their doubts and take bold steps toward joining the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), where not only can they prove their capabilities in a traditionally male-dominated field, but also unlock a wide range of professional career opportunities.
This was the call made by Major Zita Aina Ahmad, Staff Officer 2 of the Army’s Public Relations Secretariat, who has served nearly 21 years in the military, including as a United Nations peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“As women, we need to challenge ourselves. Sometimes, we don’t even realise what we’re capable of until we’re tested. With the support of our male colleagues, we can accomplish every task together,” she said when featured in Bernama TV’s Apa Khabar Malaysia programme today.
Zita Aina also called on Malaysian women, especially the young ones, to consider a military career, highlighting the vast opportunities available within the armed forces.
“You can be a doctor, an administrator, an IT specialist, an engineer, anything. The military isn’t just about combat; it’s about service, leadership, and nation-building,” she said.
Reiterating on her deployment in Congo as a UN military observer, Zita Aina recounted how her role involved gathering security threat assessments on the ground, with a focus on issues affecting women and children.
“I worked alongside officers from 12 to 13 other countries. Being a woman helped me connect more easily with local women and children. My only weapon was my words, and I used them with sincerity,” she shared.
The deployment wasn’t without danger as she recalled moments of tension, including a nearby bomb explosion, that tested her composure and adaptability in high-risk zones. Still, Zita Aina remained undeterred.
“Those difficult experiences only strengthened my resolve. Women officers have proven time and again that we can fulfil our duties, even on international missions,” she said.
On Feb 12, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said women made up less than two per cent of MAF personnel, far from the 10 per cent target set in the Defence White Paper.
Currently, 9,550 women serve in the MAF, 6,574 of whom are in the army, 1,953 in the navy, and 1,023 in the air force.
Despite their limited numbers, female personnel have played a vital role in numerous international humanitarian and peacekeeping missions.
To date, 222 women have served abroad under UN peacekeeping efforts, joint exercises with strategic partners, and military diplomacy postings.
Women have also featured prominently in three of MAF’s major international humanitarian operations, namely Op STARLIGHT in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, offering medical aid to Rohingya refugees; a medical evacuation mission for injured Palestinians; and the earthquake relief mission in Turkiye, where women comprised up to 36 per cent of mission personnel.
— BERNAMA