Women make up more than one in five ADF members
Australia has launched its first Women Veterans’ Strategy, a policy framework intended to better recognise, understand and reflect women veterans’ service during and after service.
More than one in five serving members of the ADF are women. They work across all Defence roles, including combat, aviation, maritime, intelligence, engineering, logistics, health, cyber and leadership.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs said: “Their service strengthens Australia’s national security, builds sovereign capability and shapes the future of our Defence Force.”
Women’s experience of service can vary from their male counterparts, according to the department. Research and consultation have shown women can face different challenges during and after military service in health, employment, financial security, safety, caring responsibilities and access to support.
Health, safety and support priorities
The strategy was developed in partnership between the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of Defence. It aims to improve visibility and inclusion, strengthen health and wellbeing outcomes, enhance safety and trust, support employment and economic security, better recognise caring responsibilities, and build more gender-responsive services and systems.
Its long-term reform agenda focuses on gender specific approaches to healthcare access, improved understanding of women’s health needs, mental health and wellbeing, economic security. Support for women who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma.
Consultation for the strategy included serving and ex-serving women veterans across service types, ranks, service eras and geographic locations. Ex-service organisations, academia, health and service providers, and government and international counterparts also took part.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs said: “We are embedding women’s health, transition and economic security into the core of policy, not treating it as an add-on.”
The department said the strategy forms part of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and is intended to help veteran policies and services better reflect the experiences of all veterans.
Information and supporting documents are available at www.dva.gov.au/women-veterans-strategy.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can call 13YARN on 13 92 76. In an emergency, call 000.
