“Secret Defence documents have revealed an extraordinary litany of reasons why it fears letting women fight in frontline combat roles – including increased sexual harassment, litigation, deaths and battlefield pregnancies. The concerns include ‘almost certain’ personal privacy problems while working with men, males trying to protect females in war zones and women being considered not ‘credible’ in combat. Serving female Defence personnel will be able to apply for new frontline combat roles within three months. But females outside the Army, Navy and Air Force will have to wait another three years before they can sign up. The Australian Defence Force implementation plan to open the remaining 7 per cent of combat roles to women also reveals some equipment and facilities will have to be tweaked for new female recruits.” w/ photo
