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Sub-Committee: Women in the Armed Forces, from recruitment to civilian life

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Women make a vital and valued contribution to our Armed Forces and to our country. However, serious challenges remain. Female personnel are more likely to make complaints, more likely to report mental health difficulties and more likely to be subject to sexual assaults. We need to understand the scale, nature and root of the challenges that female personnel face. Only then can we begin to address the incidence in which the services have failed female serving personnel and identify the solutions.

My hope was that this inquiry will provide servicewomen and veterans, who have too often struggled to get their voices heard, with a platform to discuss their experiences frankly, freely and without fear of repercussions. There is worrying data to suggest a disparity in the experiences of women and men both during and after leaving the Armed Forces that demands serious examination. Neglecting to do so is a disservice to those prepared to lay down their lives for our safety and protection.

Our Forces are stronger, richer and more capable when they are diverse and inclusive. A robust Armed Forces includes personnel from all walks of life, with different experiences and fresh perspectives. This was not only the right thing to do but contributes directly to operational effectiveness. We need the right person for the right role, and it is in no one’s interest to discourage women from joining and remaining in the Armed Forces.

The Committee looked at:

  • Whether the Government and MoD is doing enough to address any additional challenges
  • how easy it is to make a complaint, and identify what barriers there are to female personnel complaining
  • whether the experiences of female BAME personnel differ
  • why women chose to leave the Armed forces
  • whether ex-servicewomen face different challenges to men during their transition to civilian life
  • whether the needs of female veterans are currently met by the available services; and
  • the effect that the introduction of the Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Act (2010) has had

Other areas of interest that the Committee are keen to cover within the scope of the inquiry include issues around pensions, terms and conditions of employment, housing and general wellbeing.

As part of this inquiry, the Committee will be taking evidence from female service personnel about their experiences serving.

Evidence

Firstly, the committee took evidence via a survey. The survey had over 4200 responses - the most ever submitted to a Defence Select Committee inquiry. 

This was followed by three oral evidence sessions and focus groups.

To view a selection of clips from the first oral evidence session, go here: 

First oral evidence session

To view a selection of clips from the second oral evidence session, go here: 

Second oral evidence session

To view a selection of clips from the final oral evidence session, go here: 

Third oral evidence session

The Final Report 

On Sunday 25 July, the final report, 'Protecting those who protect us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life' launched. 

I am proud that the report gave serving women and veterans a voice in Parliament for the first time, allowing them to share their experiences and contribute to this important national debate. The inquiry also allowed the Defence Select Committee to understand what was going right for our female military personnel and what was also going wrong, which allowed us to make recommendations to the Ministry of Defence for what changes should be made so that the women in our Armed Forces can be better protected. 

Read the report

News

New kit for women in the Army being rolled out

Friday, 18 March, 2022

Progress is being made on making sure the women in our Armed Forces have appropriate kit with the announcement that the Army would be supplying new body armour from April 2022. 

Defence Select Committee: women in the Armed Forces, The Armed Forces Covenant Report

Tuesday, 1 February, 2022

As part of the Defence Select Committee's session on the Armed Forces Covenant Report 2021, I asked the witnesses about their assessment of the services for female veterans with respect of the Defence Select Committee's recent report on women in the Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Bill

Monday, 13 December, 2021

Today, I contributed to the continued debate on the Armed Forces Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. The Bill is excellent, and will do much for servicemen and women and veterans across the UK.

Westminster Hall Debate: Women in the Armed Forces

Thursday, 9 December, 2021

Following my statement to the House of Commons about the my ground-breaking inquiry into the experiences of women in the Armed Forces, I attended and spoke in a debate on the report and the Government's response.

You can also watch my closing remarks to the debate here.

Select Committee Statement to the House of Commons

Thursday, 9 December, 2021

Today, I made a statement to the House of Commons about my ground-breaking inquiry into the experiences of women in the Armed Forces. This statement was an opportunity to outline the findings of the inquiry, the recommendations in the report and the Government's response.

SA Hightown Barracks

Ministry of Defence responds to 'Women in the Armed Forces' Report

Thursday, 2 December, 2021

Today, the Defence Select Committee has published the Ministry of Defence's response to the 'Women in the Armed Forces' inquiry. This was the inquiry that I chaired earlier this year.

SA and female cadet

Women in the Armed Forces: Recent BMJ Report

Monday, 1 November, 2021

It is saddening to read yet another report detailing the extent of abuse – physical, mental, and sexual – within our Armed Forces.

Sarah in the chair

'Women in the Armed Forces': Second Oral Evidence Session

Thursday, 25 March, 2021

Last week, the Defence Select Committee inquiry, 'Women in the Armed Forces', held its second oral evidence session.

Sarah in the chair

'Women in the Armed Forces': First Oral Evidence Session

Saturday, 13 March, 2021

Last week, the Defence Select Committee inquiry, 'Women in the Armed Forces', held its first oral evidence session.

Defence Select Committee: Women in The Armed Forces

Thursday, 4 March, 2021

Today, the Defence Select Committee held the first evidence session on the Sub-Committee inquiry 'Women in the Armed Forces: From Recruitment to Civilian Life', of which I am the Chair. 

In Parliament

  • Defence Select Committee
  • Women in Defence All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)
  • Sub-Committee: Women in the Armed Forces, from recruitment to civilian life
  • Westminster Trips

Sarah Atherton MP MP for Wrexham

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