Latest funding helps change the narrative for servicewomen
- Redefining duty – 8 new projects putting gender-specific issues faced by servicewomen in the spotlight.
- More than £650K awarded to tackle inequality in support and health barriers for women in uniform.
- Speaking out on the hidden challenges many servicewomen face such as bullying and harassment, lack of understanding of women’s health issues and the impact of care-giving on serving women.
As of April 2025, women represented 11.9% of the UK regular armed forces; however, many still describe it as a ‘man’s world’.
From ill-fitting uniform to availability of sanitary products; a lack of recognition of the role many servicewomen play as main caregiver to their family, to a lack of understanding of the symptoms of menopause. Applications to our Service Women: Seen & Heard programme made it clear that change is needed.
In 2021, the Atherton inquiry shone a light on these issues, noting that 85% of women consulted believed that female personnel faced additional challenges in the armed forces.
Our servicewomen-focused programme addresses these additional challenges and this latest round of awards sees eight projects awarded a share of over £650,000.
First launched last year as part of our three-year funding strategy, the Service Women: Seen & Heard programme promotes choices for serving women which reduce risk and negative impact to their wellbeing. It prioritises both physical and mental health support as well as provision of education around serving women’s health challenges.
Body talk
Working across the UK, the Defence General Practice Women’s Health Special Interest Group: Academic Department of Military General Practice, will create a series of short, animated educational clips on servicewomen’s health.
The clips will be designed for use in facilitated discussions across recruitment, training, service and leadership, covering topics such as menstruation, vulval health, urination, menopause, reproductive health and more. This work will support awareness and wellbeing, as well as contribute towards gender-informed leadership in military settings – a key theme of the Atherton inquiry.
Surg Lt Cdr Ruth Guest explains: “Servicewomen tell us about struggling to manage periods on deployment, facing stigma around menopause, or not knowing where to seek support for female specific conditions. With this funding, we can turn lived experience into lasting educational tools that will improve confidence and wellbeing for serving women but also create meaningful discussions and culture change across Defence as a whole.”
Stronger together
Service life is demanding and impact on family life remains one of the main reasons personnel leave the military. But it has been found to be more demanding on serving women, such as this breastfeeding mum serving in the Royal Navy.
In Wales, Mothers Matter are combining tailored wellbeing workshops, peer support, and accessible resources to empower servicewomen to make informed health choices. Their Stronger Together project supports prevention and crisis response, ensuring servicewomen have equitable access to care that enhances their mental health and overall quality of life.
Shannon Davies, Project Co-ordinator talks about the importance of servicewomen receiving proper advocacy.
“This funding is vital for supporting the unique challenges faced by serving women, helping us provide the tailored care and advocacy that they need. With this support, Mothers Matter can reach even more women, amplify their voices, and ensure they are seen, heard, and understood.
“One recent example is a mother navigating military life alone while caring for her child as her partner is also within the military. However, with our guidance and support, she was able to access essential wellbeing groups, resources and feel truly supported during a very isolating time. She is now confident to return to her duties without guilt or anxiety”.
Menopause support
At the other end of the spectrum, servicewomen are battling hot flushes in full uniform, suffering debilitating brain fog and facing issues with bone health, amongst other symptoms, due to menopause and perimenopause.
The Cornwall Rural Community Charity will co-design and deliver empowering health education and support for serving women experiencing menopause symptoms to enhance their wellbeing and support networks.
Their Service & Strength project confronts the fact that many servicewomen are managing severe symptoms in arduous environments with limited access to adequate healthcare such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Gemma Finnegan, Impact Lead explains: “This vital initiative is designed to confront the profound and unique health challenges that servicewomen face, particularly during peri- and post-menopause. A pervasive culture of silence exists, where many servicewomen feel they cannot discuss their symptoms without it being perceived as a weakness or an inability to perform. This lack of support contributes to women leaving the armed forces at the peak of their careers.”
Women’s wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing is a key theme of the Service Women: Seen & Heard programme. In Catterick, Clervaux Trust will offer craft sessions to help reduce isolation and encourage female bonding for servicewomen. Clervaux Fold is a dedicated creative space already offering positive, practical experiences for veterans; this latest funding is providing an exciting new opportunity. Janine Christley from Clervaux explains.
“We are thrilled to receive a grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to support active servicewomen. Clervaux Fold is creating a bespoke new two-year programme designed to improve their mental health and wellbeing. We are looking forward to welcoming servicewomen to join us each week for this fantastic new course.”
Safe to Serve
10% of all female personnel report being subject to sexual harassment in a Service environment, whilst for male personnel, this figure is less than 1%.
However, most of those who have been subject to bullying, discrimination or harassment don’t make a complaint (86%) with the main reasons being: not believing anything would be done; or believing that it might adversely affect their career.
SSAFA’s Safe to Serve project will offer one-to-one, confidential advice, practical and emotional support and advocacy for serving women facing these issues to tackle the culture of silence and stand by them with compassion.
Lynne Doherty, Director of Social Care Operations for SSAFA, explains: “As seen in the media, recent reports have highlighted the challenges some women in the armed forces continue to face. SSAFA’s Seen & Heard project will ensure those women are believed, supported, and protected. Through accessible support – via phone, email, or WhatsApp – and a ‘no-wrong-door’ approach to referrals, we’ll reach more women in need. By amplifying their voices and using anonymous insights to influence policy, we’re helping to create safer, fairer environments for women serving in the armed forces.”
Find out more
The Service Women: Seen & Heard programme is helping to break taboos and ensure proper recognition of servicewomen across the UK. You can view a full list of the work we’ve supported, and we encourage you to find out more about these projects and get involved.