An Cosantóir

| 19 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 19 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE GENAD 2023 BY LT COMDR CAROLINE SCANLON PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SGT PAUL KEALY 2023 has been a both a busy and productive year for the Gender, Equality and Diversity Office. With the support of the wider DF, we have delivered on major projects such as White Paper Project 56, a 'Survey to identify the impediments to the advancement of women in the Permanent Defence Forces'. This was undertaken in Q1 2021 in order to establish what impediments female members face in terms of career progression within the organisation. The responses provided in the survey offer a valuable insight into the current feelings and experiences of women in the DF, providing new information and insight into the impediments to the advancement of women in the DF. The survey results highlight many of the positive structures in place that encourage greater participation and retention of women in the DF. Whilst providing valuable information that will feed into the creation and delivery of policies and initiatives aimed at increasing the number of serving females, the goal is to address any impediments to their advancement within the DF. One such policy GRO 01/2023 DF Maternity and Associated Protected Leave, signed by DCOS Sp Adrian Ó Murchú is a complete revision of GRO 04/2015, incorporating national legislation. This transformational GRO will assist all members of the DF to fully understand their rights in respect of maternity and associated protected leave and inform them of their statutory rights. The rollout of period products throughout DF installations is a wonderful success story. Beginning with advocacy and drive from Defence Forces Women's Network, followed by the successful delivery and distribution of the sanitary products throughout the organisation by Lt Col Sharon McManus and her team in D Eng Branch Barrack Services, namely; BQ Paul Gifford, CQ Leon Clarke and CQ Peter Scully. Exigencies of military service means that women are often restricted from leaving locations such as guard rooms when on duty or barracks when in training. Access to sanitary products in restricted environments normalises the needs of military women, raises awareness amongst all DF personnel and removes one less barrier for women in the DF. Products will also be made available in overseas locations shortly. Another good news story is the new scheme to reimburse female DF personnel the cost of purchasing their own sports undergarments. Female personnel can make one claim per year, to the amount of €130. Organisational Cultural Standing Committee (OCSC), in driving positive cultural change in the DF, developed the Sexual Ethics and Respectful Relationship (SERR) workshop. This training consists of modules on consent, military culture and environment, sexual ethics and respectful relationships and being an ethical bystander. The workshops focus on addressing inappropriate behaviour and encourages people to call out inappropriate behaviour in others. The SERR workshop is designed to give personnel the opportunity to discuss, explore and learn about sexual ethics in the workplace, with a view to making the DF a safer place to work. The workshop is being delivered by Professor Louise Crowley, a Professor in Family Law in the Legal Department in UCC, alongside a DF Military Champion. Prof. Crowley developed the Bystander Intervention programme which she delivers across Universities, private companies and the public sector. Prof. Crowley will deliver 68 workshops. A number of events held by the Defence Forces Women's Networks (DFWN) and Defence Women's Network (DWN) have taken place throughout the year. These events focus on a variety of topics such as women in leadership, empowerment, mental health and wellness. The most widely attended event this year was 'Radiance from the Skin and Within', attended by 130 DF & DOD personnel. The line- up included renowned skin expert Jennifer Rock (The Skin Nerd) and a leading nutritionist Isabelle Fagan. The event was enjoyed by all and offered participants the opportunity to network and learn from our peers from throughout the DF. Jennifer Rock (The Skin Nerd) speaking at the Defence Women's Network (DWN) DF members receiving Gender, Diversity & Unconscious Bias training Attendees at the Defence Women's Network (DWN) event DF GENAD Lt Cdr Scanlon meeting with ACOS Brig Gen Mulcahy

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