Women in the Armed Forces

The armed forces are exempt from the Sex Discrimination Act and there are restrictions on women serving in close-combat roles.

Women are able to serve in; 71 per cent of Naval Service roles, 67 per cent of army roles, 96 per cent of the roles in the Royal Air Force.

Figures from July 2009 show that:

• Women make up 9.5 per cent of UK regular forces and 6.6 per cent of UK regular forces are from minority ethnic backgrounds.
• Taking all services into consideration, 12.1 per cent of Officers are women compared to 11.3 per cent in April 2006 .

The Naval Service (July 2009)

 

• 9.5 per cent of personnel were women compared to 9.3 per cent in April 2006. 
• 9.7 per cent of officers were women compared to 8.8 per cent in April 2006 
• 9.5 per cent of those in non-officer ranks were women compared to 9.4 per cent in April 2006.

The Army (July 2009)

 

• 7.8 per cent of personnel were women compared to 7.6 per cent in April 2006.
• 11.2 per cent of officers were women compared to 10.8 per cent in April 2006.
• 7.3 per cent of those in non-officer ranks were women compared to 7.1 per cent in April 2006.

Royal Air Force (July 2009)

 

• 13.6 per cent of personnel were women compared to 12.3 per cent in April 2006.
• 15.4 per cent of officers were women compared to 13.7 per cent in April 2006.
• 13.1 per cent of those in non-officer ranks compared to 12 per cent in April 2006.

 

 

Sources: UK Armed Forces Quarterly Manning Report: 1 July 2009