Jamaica's PNP Women Celebrate 50 Years of Women in Defence Force

The People's National Party (PNP) Women's Movement is marking a significant milestone: 50 years since women first entered active military service in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). This anniversary celebrates the contributions of these women to nation-building and underscores the progress made toward gender parity in the country.

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one of the achievements of Jamaican Women that I am proud of as we continue to move towards gender parity in our country.

August marks the 50th anniversary of the historic enlistment of the first four women into the JDF on August 11, 1976. The PNP Women's Movement noted that these trailblazers paved the way for hundreds of other women to serve in diverse operational, technical, and administrative roles across the JDF. This achievement was advocated for in 1975, the International Year of the Woman, by then-President of the PNP Women's Movement, Beverley Manley Duncan, who urged former Prime Minister Michael Manley to allow women into the JDF.

Manley Duncan expressed pride in this milestone, stating, "one of the achievements of Jamaican Women that I am proud of as we continue to move towards gender parity in our country." She anticipated joining the women of the JDF at their upcoming Gala and Awards Ceremony.

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We extend our heartfelt congratulations and commendation to all the women who have served and continue to serve in one of our nation’s most noble institutions.

Current President of the PNP Women's Movement, Patricia Duncan Sutherland, extended congratulations to all women who have served and continue to serve in the JDF. She emphasized their dual role in contributing to national development and serving as inspiring examples for young Jamaican women, demonstrating that "our potential as women is limitless and our impact is far reaching and touches all spheres of our society."

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You have not only contributed to nation building but have served as an example to many young Jamaican women to demonstrate that our potential as women is limitless and our impact is far reaching and touches all spheres of our society.

The movement also specifically saluted Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, the current Chief of Defence Staff, calling her position "a powerful testament to the remarkable strides women have made in service to our nation." The PNP Women's Movement lauded the women of the JDF, past and present, for their "discipline, commitment, loyalty and courage" as Jamaica advances towards greater gender equality.

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a powerful testament to the remarkable strides women have made in service to our nation.