Five years on from the “Atherton report” Service chiefs and MOD face questions on women in the Armed Forces
All three Service chiefs (Army, Navy and Air Force), the Minister for Veterans and People, and the Director of Conduct, Equity and Justice at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will give evidence on women in the Armed Forces at 10.30am, Tuesday 14 April.
This is an annual evidence session on women’s experience serving in the Armed Forces, and an opportunity to track the MOD’s progress in implementing the recommendations made by the “Atherton report”, five years on from its publication.
In July 2021 the Committee published “Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life”, led by Sarah Atherton. The report found that the MOD and Armed Forces were failing to protect female personnel and support Servicewomen to achieve their full potential.
Meeting details
The session is likely to examine continuing low rates of female participation in the Armed Forces, concerns around confidence and outcomes in the Service complaints and Service Justice systems, rates of bullying, harassment and discrimination, and resistance to cultural change, with reports of continuing “toxic” behaviours within the MOD as well as the Armed Forces. Issues around the availability of suitable protective equipment are also likely to be covered in the session.