Progress in gender equality, diversity and anti-bullying for Defence Forces

Good progress has been made by the defence forces in introducing policies which respect gender equality, diversity and anti-bullying strategies, according to a key report to be launched this morning.

The Independent Monitoring Group, which reviewed training, education and personnel management in the Defence Forces said the military now recognised recruits rights to equality regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation including transgender, religion, membership of the Traveller community, status as a single or attached person, or family status.

Two areas of civil equality legislation, relating to age and disability remain inapplicable to the Defence Forces.

The report noted the military had, since the last Independent Monitoring Group report in 2008, introduced a mediation as an informal option in dealing with complaints from recruits.

The report particularly noted strides taken towards the integration of women in the Defence Forces, remarking that Ireland was now one of only two countries in the 198 member UN that have a military action plan in relation to a "gender perspective" in its operations. The other country is Finland.

The report did express concern about the application of “corrective action” which a term used to describe on-the-spot punishments such as press ups, which can be doled out for minor offences. The monitoring group expressed concern for the potential for bullying and said any such punishment must be appropriate, relevant and fair.

In all the monitoring group makes 35 recommendations in relation to ongoing improvements for human resource management, training and development, organisation of the Reserve Defence Forces and on-going reviews of progress and change.