Women in Defence Update

This month, parliament has returned from recess and is considering the Women in Defence inquiry recommendations. Both the House of Lords and House of Commons continue to push for amendments to the Armed Forces Bill, to reflect those recommendations.

The Women in Defence report was published on 25th July and confirmed that issues persist for women in defence: while there are great opportunities for careers, the price being paid can be very high, if it does go wrong. And far too many of our military leaders are turning a blind eye to toxic behaviours. The MoD are due to respond to the report on 25th September, with CDS due to be interviewed at DSEI on 14th September - you can watch his interview between 1430-1520 hrs here. 

 

Click on the report below, to read the full inquiry recommendations.

Monthly Summary

As well as the report being published, members of the House of Lords and House of Commons have been asking for amendments to the Armed Forces Bill- the focus is on amendments that enshrine in law that serious sexual assaults should be handled by the civilian and not military courts, and for an independent defence authority that would inspect and enforce MoD's commitments to implementing key recommendations like the Lyons report on Justice reform; the Wigston report on inappropriate behaviours reform and now the Atherton report reforms.

 

In addition, there have been small signs of culture change :

 

  • Larisa Brown wrote in the Times, that our Prime Minister has requested a wider range of candidates to be interviewed as the next CDS and is looking for someone 'more forward thinking:' 
  • The Women in Defence annual conference discussed uniform challenges for women. 
  • Hair changes were announced for women in the armed forces. 
  • And various other militaries were also experiencing their own #militarymetoo moments:

   

     Irish Defence Forces  - Women of Honour programme

   

     US changes its policy on sexual assault investigations - removing the chain of command

Women's Focus Group (South-East) to start Up soon. 

Sophie is an ex-service woman working in collaboration with the charity Wayfinder Woman. She is looking to connect with forces/ex forces women in the South East who are or have suffered similar experiences to her own which include chronic bullying, sexual harassment and PTSD. She describes her own journey to recovery as feeling both isolated and alone. She is aiming to create a group which is a safe, inclusive space for those in the South-East, to feel free to speak out and to provide ongoing support and free services.  If you would like to be part of the group and to help Sophie to start to understand how she can support you please fill out the questionnaire using the link below, by the 1st Oct. She looks forward to meeting you!

 
The Questionnaire
Link to the Website  
This email was created with Wix.‌ Discover More