Protecting those who protect us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life

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Contents

Summary

The way forward

1 Introduction

Our inquiry

2 Joining the forces - recruitment and representation

Women’s representation in the forces

Barriers to joining

Improving women’s recruitment

3 Thriving and progressing in the Forces

Biases and change within the Forces

‘Unacceptable behaviours’ in the Forces

The prevalence and types of behaviours

Efforts by the MOD and Single Services to reduce these behaviours

Case studies: other challenges affecting female Service personnel

Uniforms and equipment

Health and facilities

Supporting those with family responsibilities

Progressing and moving up

4 Responding if things go wrong

The Service complaints system

Planned changes to the complaints system

Sexual offences within the Service Justice System

Specialist support in the complaints and justice systems

5 Transition and resettlement

Reasons for leaving the Armed Forces

The situation of female veterans

Available services and whether these meet female veterans’ needs

6 Overall conclusions

Conclusions and recommendations

Annex 1: Survey results

Appendix 1: Hierarchy of ranks in the Armed Forces

Formal minutes

Witnesses

Published written evidence

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament