Short Summary
There are plenty of stereotypes of women in the British Army. Traditional mind sets and a history of sexism and inequality have plagued the Armed Forces for many years. When the Royal British Legion commissioned me in 2012, this was on my mind. They said "Go to Afghanistan, take pictures and make us a project that you think people need to see." I knew that women were far more active in front line roles than during previous conflicts and I also wanted to explore these stereotypes. Almost 2 years later we are back to keep telling the stories of these women. We want people to be more informed about the role of women in uniform. I keep saying 'we' because this is about the women I have met and will continue to meet. This is their story, not mine.
This will be the first independent photographic project that will allow people a chance to see the realities of life in uniform, view images and hear interviews that represent these soldiers. A forum for their voices to be heard. It's not a recruitment tool for the Army, merely a documentation of the truth. All of the women featured in the book will be serving soldiers, each with a story to tell. From front line medics to mechanics this will be their place to talk about their experiences.
Here are a few facts to give you some history on the project:
-
Women
have served with the British Army since 1917. For many years, they
carried out auxiliary roles as part of a separate corps. In 1992,
female soldiers were fully integrated within non combat corps, but
remain barred from front line duties. In 2008, a BBC article stated
that women formed just under 10% of the British armed forces. Their
contribution was described as 'essential' by the Ministry of Defence.
However at the time, only 67% of jobs in the Army were open to women
- the smallest proportion of the three armed forces - and despite
emphasising that women could and were involved in every military
operation, the UK Ministry of Defence had no idea how many women in
the Army were eligible for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.
In
2013, the decision by the United States to lift its ban on women
serving in front line combat roles sparked international debate.
Meanwhile the British Army's recruiting website claimed 'Men and
women have an equal part to play in society – and they have an
equal part to play in the Army too. As a female soldier, you’ll
have a wide range of jobs to choose from. You get exactly the same
pay, opportunities for training, travel and promotion as your male
colleagues.' However, the UK Ministry of Defence continues to
maintain its ban on female soldiers undertaking frontline combat
roles. Are expectations of equality and integration realistic,
practical or even desirable in the Army today?
What We Need & What You Get
At the moment we need to produce the material and this includes a number of unavoidable costs ranging from permits to photograph on military sites, equipment hire, travel, accommodation and flights to areas where women serve. We have already been out to Afghanistan and the first phase of the book is well underway. But to make it a truly well rounded and informed piece we need your help. I say we, because the women who feature in this project are as much part of this as I am.
The Impact
Defence
Secretary Phillip Hammond has launched a review on women serving
in combat roles. He said:
"It's
about the signal we send that all branches of the military are open,
regardless of gender. The image of the military, I think, is
still a macho image - the last bastion of male chauvinism. The
reality is very different."
We
want to tackle the media frenzy every time a story breaks on women in
the army (one which I have been involved in many times). I
never realised this until the work was exhibited and became very
aware of how very little was out there to inform the public.
Most of the women in this project would rather you just let them get
on with the job and have agreed to do this book to put all those gaps
of knowledge to rest. We hope this book arms you (no pun
intended) with more of the facts and realities to be a female soldier
in the British Army.
All of your help will be hugely appreciated and in the future I hope we can keep bringing up some of the gaps in this subject and offer a network of support to not only current serving soldiers, but also the many female veterans who are amongst us.