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Improving recognition and support for women veterans

Women have played a vital role in the military for decades, yet their experiences - both in Service and as veterans - have often been overlooked. However, in recent years, increased research into the health, wellbeing, societal attitudes and outcomes for women veterans has helped bring their challenges into focus and push for meaningful change.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in recognising and addressing the experiences of women veterans, and to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring their voices shape the support available to them.

While carrying out research for my Anything But Uniform report - which explored the diverse experiences and needs of the veteran community - many women veterans shared the pride they take in their Service. They spoke about fulfilling careers, lifelong friendships, and gaining skills and experiences they could not have accessed in the civilian world.

However, for some, military service was marked by experiences that no one should have to endure. Reports of bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault remain deeply concerning, with many incidents either going unreported or not being taken seriously. The impact on the wellbeing of those affected has been significant, reinforcing the need for better support, outreach, and access to mental health services tailored to women veterans.

More broadly, women veterans continue to face barriers to accessing services and support from Service charities, many of which remain male-dominated. A lack of recognition and representation has also contributed to challenges around identity and belonging within the veteran community.

In my report, I recommended that diversity in the veteran community is recognised in language, imagery, policy and practice, and that barriers to access and gaps in provision affecting under-represented groups – such as women veterans – are addressed. I also called for service providers to develop a better understanding of the specific needs of women veterans, particularly in the areas of mental health and sexual trauma.

Just over a month after my report was published, on International Women’s Day 2024, the Female Veterans Transformation Programme (FVTP) was launched. Its aims closely align with my recommendations, with a focus on developing a toolkit to help commercial, statutory, and charitable service providers improve their support for women veterans.

One year from launch, and following six months of engagement with over 800 women veterans and 40 support organisations, the FVTP has published its consultation report, In Their Own Words. This report identifies what ‘good’ should look like in future service provision.

Among its key proposals, it calls for greater awareness that women veterans may have different needs from their male counterparts and emphasises the importance of recognising the diversity within the community - including differences in age, ethnicity, rank, disabilities, military roles, and civilian careers and roles, including motherhood. This awareness should be reflected in the branding, imagery, and language used by service providers.

The report also highlights the need for welcoming, confidential support, including female-only safe spaces and access to female staff where appropriate – particularly for survivors of harassment, assault, and discrimination. Ensuring services are accessible regardless of location, working hours, or caring responsibilities is also vital, for example, by offering remote or out-of-hours support.

Additionally, it stresses that employment and transition support should be more relevant to women, and that professionals working in healthcare, mental health, housing, and the criminal justice system must develop a better understanding of military culture and how it affects women. The FVTP also underscores the need for greater awareness of the homosexuality ban that impacted LGBT+ veterans.

Alongside its findings, the FVTP has published a What Good Looks Like checklist to help service providers assess and improve the support they offer to women veterans, and work is now underway to develop the full toolkit, due to launch later this year.

As a woman veteran and someone who advocates for the veteran community, I’ve seen at first-hand how a lack of recognition and suitable support impacts women after they leave the Forces. Women veterans have given so much through their Service. By continuing to listen to their voices and act on these recommendations, we can build a future where they receive the recognition, respect and support they have earned in civilian life.