OTTAWA. Canada appointed Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan as the country’s chief of the defense staff, marking the first time a woman would hold the highest military position, in a historic move. This appointment, announced on Wednesday, aligns with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ongoing efforts to place women in top leadership roles.
Carignan, who has been instrumental in combating ingrained sexism and misconduct within the armed forces, will officially assume her new role on July 18. With a distinguished career spanning 35 years, she has served in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Syria, originally joining the military as an engineer.
“Over the course of her career, her exceptional leadership qualities, commitment to excellence, and dedication to service have been a tremendous asset to our Armed Forces,” said Trudeau in a statement.
Carignan’s appointment comes at a critical time for Canada, which faces increasing pressure from allies to boost defense spending. The armed forces are currently grappling with recruitment challenges and the need to modernize outdated equipment. Last November, the navy’s head warned that the service was in “a critical state” and might not be able to fulfill its basic duties in 2024.
Since taking office in late 2015, Trudeau, a self-proclaimed feminist, has actively pursued policies aimed at promoting gender equality. In 2018, he appointed Brenda Lucki as the first female head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Additionally, the last two governors-general, the official representatives of the British monarchy, have been women appointed by Trudeau.
Carignan’s leadership is expected to bring a renewed focus on addressing both internal and external challenges facing the Canadian Armed Forces, continuing Trudeau’s vision of inclusive and effective governance.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
