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The Australian Government has announced the launch of the first Women Veterans’ Strategy, honouring the service, leadership and contribution of women who have served the country.
The strategy provides a framework to ensure women veterans’ service is better recognised, understood and reflected through policy and supports during and post service.
It was developed in partnership between the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of Defence, the strategy will 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.
The strategy provides a coordinated, evidence-based approach to addressing these issues through long-term reform, with a focus on improving gender specific approaches to healthcare access and improved understanding of women’s health needs, alongside the critical areas of mental health and wellbeing, economic security and support to women who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma.
“More than one in five serving members of the ADF are women, operating across all Defence roles, from combat, aviation, maritime, intelligence and engineering to logistics, health, cyber and leadership roles,” according to Minister for Veterans Affairs of Australia, Matt Keogh.
“Their service strengthens Australia’s national security, builds sovereign capability and shapes the future of our Defence Force, but women’s experience of service can vary from their male counterparts.
“Research and consultation have shown women can face different challenges during and after military service, particularly in areas such as health, employment, financial security, safety, caring responsibilities and access to support.
“The Strategy is grounded in consultation with 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.
“We are embedding women’s health, transition and economic security into the core of policy, not treating it as an add-on.
“This is an important part of the Government's response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, helping ensure veteran policies and services better reflect the experiences of all veterans.”
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