In the last few decades western militaries have been training more women for combat than ever, yet female recruitment and retention is stalling. But with warfare changing, new technologies and new threats, women soldiers are a vital resource.
Victoria Hollingsworth talks with different women around the world, some on the frontline and others about to go, and explores the motivations and the challenges they face. Many have families and find juggling these two lives very hard and with little support. Away from the frontline many have faced sexism and worse from their own colleagues. There are some in society and the military that believe there is no place for women in combat. It is a polarising view that is at odds with progressive modern militaries yet one that appears to be gathering momentum in some parts of the world, especially in the US. How will this affect the careers of females currently serving in the US armed forces and future recruitment?
Presented by Investigative Journalist Victoria Hollingsworth. Executive Producer Mark Popkiewicz. Edited by Keith English and Produced by Will Aslett.
Creators
Victoria Hollingsworth
Presenter
Will Aslett
Producer
Allison Jaslow
Iraq War Veteran
Sarah Atherton
Former MoD Minister and Chair of the Defence sub-committee inquiry into Women in the Armed Forces
Oleksandra
Mortar Platoon Commander, Armed Forces of Ukraine
Major Jenny Wood
British Army
Alice
Officer Cadet – Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Andrew
Academy Staff – Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Tara Copp
Pentagon correspondent, Associate Press
Emma Norton
Director, Centre for Military Justice
Sarah Percy
Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Queensland, author of Forgotten Warriors: A History of Women on the Front Line
Anna Simons
Professor Emerita of Defense Analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School, California US
Alistair Carns
Minister for Veterans and People, in the Ministry of Defence
Robyn English
Music Composer/Producer