Australia looks to recruit more women for armed forces
24 March 2015
A A$1.8m (£955k) national campaign to recruit more women for the Australian Defence Force was launched in the country’s Northern Territories capital Darwin yesterday [24 March, Australian time].
Tue, 24 Mar 2015A A$1.8m (£955k) national campaign to recruit more women for the Australian Defence Force was launched in the country’s Northern Territories capital Darwin yesterday [24 March, Australian time].
Australian media reports note the recruitment drive comes after high-profile scandals involving the treatment of women in the defence force, including the sacking of six army members involved in distributing explicit emails.
Vice Admiral Tim Barrett reportedly said at the launch the campaign would help drive overall cultural change within the defence force.
He said women currently accounted for about 18% of the navy and air force, and 12% of the army, and noted the force had not done enough to promote careers for women.
The force has set targets to bring female representation in the army up to 15% by 2018 and navy and air force to 25% by 2023.
Australian media reports note the recruitment drive comes after high-profile scandals involving the treatment of women in the defence force, including the sacking of six army members involved in distributing explicit emails.
Vice Admiral Tim Barrett reportedly said at the launch the campaign would help drive overall cultural change within the defence force.
He said women currently accounted for about 18% of the navy and air force, and 12% of the army, and noted the force had not done enough to promote careers for women.
The force has set targets to bring female representation in the army up to 15% by 2018 and navy and air force to 25% by 2023.
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